Lang
10/5/23
A blaze at a transient camp filled the skies of Iowa City with smoke Wednesday afternoon.
According to a news release from the Iowa City Fire Department, crews were dispatched to a vegetation fire behind Hills Bank on South Gilbert Street just before 2 p.m. Within a minute of the initial dispatch, the call was upgraded to a structure fire due to its location in a homeless encampment and proximity to a building.
ICFD crews were able to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes of arrival. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters and no buildings were damaged. The fire remains under investigation by the Iowa City Fire Marshal’s Office.
City officials say over the past several months, a Shelter House Street Outreach Specialist has worked with the individuals living in the affected encampment to secure access to housing and other resources. A statement from Shelter House can be found here.
Community members wishing to support Shelter House’s efforts to provide stable housing to all in our community are encouraged to visit their website.