VIDEO: Lightning, squatter possible causes of fire at flood-damaged Cedar Rapids home

UPDATE: Fire investigators say lightning or a squatter likely caused an early-morning blaze inside a flood-damaged house in Cedar Rapids.

Multiple people called 911 to report the fire at 1442 Second St. SE, near the Sinclair property, around 6:30 a.m. There were flames showing when they arrived, but water soon turned them to smoke.

Crews shot water from the outside, choosing not to go inside the house. Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the 1 1/2 story house was deemed structurally unsound following the 2008 flood.

Buelow said firefighters won't go inside such unstable properties “unless there is some clear evidence that someone is inside,” such as a witness report, someone screaming, or tracks going inside.

The fire appears to have started in the attic or on the roof, according to investigators. No utilities were connected to the house, which like others in the area, has been sittig vacant.

Buelow said the two most likely causes were lightning from morning thunderstorms or a squatter who was staying in the house illegally.

No injuries were reported.

The house, owned by Claudia Tudor, was on the property acquisition list and Tudor was in line for a buyout, Buelow said. The fire shouldn't affect that status, he said.

no utilities to the structure, and no indications that anyone was inside the residence illegally. There were reports of several lightning strikes in the area within the period of time that the fire was reported, Buelow said.

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