Six area fire departments respond to house fire in Swisher

Over half-a-dozen fire departments from Johnson and Linn counties were on hand to fight a blaze that broke out in a Swisher home early Friday night.

Firefighters from Solon, Ely, Fairfax, North Liberty, Coralville, Cedar Rapids and Swisher started working against the fire at the [mappress] residence shortly after 5 p.m.

Firefighters were unable to access a nearby fire hydrant in Swisher so crews alternated making trips to a water-pump three miles north of town on Highway 965 in order to keep their hoses going against the blaze.

Ilene Kitzman was in her home when the fire started and was able to escape without injury. Fire officials said she thought the fire was caused by an old fashioned wood stove her and her husband Ken have in the home.

Fire officials said the fire had caused parts of the house to collapse into the basement, where smoldering debris made it difficult to fully subdue the fire.

The house is a total loss.