Officials investigate arson at Cedar Rapids apartment complex

CEDAR RAPIDS – Someone set multiple fires in a laundry building at a southwest Cedar Rapids apartment Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters called to Shamrock Apartments, 300 Jacolyn Dr. SW, shortly before 5:30 p.m. arrived to find smoke coming from the laundry building, Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said. The fire was reported by a resident of a nearby complex who noticed the smoke.

The smoke was heaviest in a restroom and utility room in the rear of the building, where firefighters extinguished a small fire and removed a section of the ceiling to ensure the fire hadn't spread.

The restroom's door, walls, and ceiling sustained moderate damage, according to Buelow.

An investigation revealed several points of origin throughout the building, and small areas of fire damage were found near the washers and dryers.

The laundry building is separate from the complex's apartment buildings, and tenants weren't effected by the fire.

The complex is owned by Barry Smith of Marion.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call the Cedar Rapids Fire Department at 286-5200 or the Arson Hotline at (800) 532-1459.