Update: Cedar Rapids fire officials says the cause of the fire was “faulty electrical wiring” in the basement.
Investigators are trying to determine what sparked a fire that destroyed a home in Cedar Rapids – killing two family pets. Firefighters were called to the home on the city’s northwest side Tuesday afternoon. A resident who lives in the neighborhood called 9-1-1 after seeing heavy smoke coming from the the attic roof vents.
The homeowner, Russell Bowers, was contacted as well. He said no one was home, but there were two dogs in the house. The neighbor tried to rescue the pets, a Golden Retriever and a Black Labrador, but there was too much smoke and heat.
Firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze, but the fire destroyed much of house. Russell Bowers and his wife have three children who are 3-months, 8-years and 10-years-old. The family is being assisted by the Red Cross.
Photo courtesy of Cedar Rapids Fire Department