Hunter
04/15/24
Cedar Rapids firefighters say unextinguished fire pit ashes placed into a container caused heavy damage to a garage and a neighboring home.
Fire crews were dispatched to the 3700 block of Blue Mound Drive NE on reports of a house fire. While en route, it was learned that the fire had spread to the house next door.
Firefighters attacked both blazes and found no residents inside either structure.
The house where the fire originated sustained heavy damage to the garage, but none to the interior of the house. The wind pushed the fire to the neighboring house, which caused heavy damage to the living area.
There were no injuries; a damage estimate has not been made available.
The cause of the fire was determined to be unintentional caused by fire pit ashes placed in the yardy next to the garage. The Fire Department reminds residents that fire pit ashes retain their heat for days and need to be thoroughly soaked prior to discarding them.