The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of a fire in eastern Iowa that injured at least four people, including three children.
The fire started around 5 a.m. Sunday in Anamosa. Anamosa Police Chief Robert Simonson says it appears the fire started in an apartment located above the Cat Adoption Center. “I believe the fire started up in the apartment, however, that’s not been confirmed,” Simonson said.
Two adults and three children — ages 5, 7, and 9 — were living in the apartment. Two of the children were airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for burns and smoke inhalation. Fire crews said all of the injured were expected to survive. A dog that belonged to the family died in the fire.
The cat shelter below the apartment was badly damaged. All of the cats were rescued. “The business was just inspected in the last few weeks…and it passed with high marks,” Simonson said.
About a dozen cats were missing after the fire was extinguished, but most of them were found. People living in the area have been asked to keep their eyes open for any more cats roaming around.
Authorities said the fire was contained to the apartment on the 2nd floor, but the Cat Adoption Center below sustained heavy smoke and water damage.
(reporting by KCRG-TV’s Brady Smith in Cedar Rapids, additional reporting by Radio Iowa’s Pat Curtis)