A Rock Rapids business was gutted by fire Monday that investigators say may’ve been intentionally set. Four northwest Iowa fire departments were called in to help Rock Rapids Fire Department fight the fire in that town’s downtown area on Monday afternoon.

The Sportsman’s Short Stop Liquor Store was on fire, just south of the town’s main street. Lyon County Sheriff Blythe Bloemendaal is now saying he’s investigating the fire as possible arson. He says the fire may have started in the vacant apartment upstairs and then spread to the rest of the building.

The building is a total loss, and there’s a concern that it’s unstable. Adjacent businesses Spike’s Barber Shop and DeNoble, PC CPA’s were evacuated as a precaution.

See video of the fire here: facebook.com/kiwaradio.

By Scott Van Aartsen, KIWA, Sheldon