Two escape house fire when paint cleaner ignites

CEDAR RAPIDS – Two people escaped a house fire at 1528 J Ave. NE Sunday afternoon which was caused by a blow dryer igniting paint cleaner, fire officials said.

Koby Helmle, 23, and Molly McLain,  22, both residents of the rental home, were not injured.

Cedar Rapids fire officials say Helmle was painting the kitchen and using a blow dryer to speed the drying process. He also used paint cleaner to remove paint from the kitchen floor. The blow dryer apparently caught the paint cleaner on fire, officials said.

Helmle was able to alert McLain, who was sleeping on the second floor, and both made it out safely.

Firefighters were called at about 3:30 p.m. Fire crews found heavy smoke coming from both floors of the house.

The first floor sustained fire, heat and smoke damage. The second floor was primarily damaged by smoke.

A third roommate, who was out of town, is also displaced as a result of the fire.

The roommates are being assisted by family members and the Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The first floor sustained fire, heat and smoke damage. The second floor was primarily damaged by smoke.

A third roommate, who was out of town, is also dispalced as a result of the fire.

The roommates are being assisted by family members and the Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross.