Iowa City Fire Investigators Working To Find Cause Of Massive Fire

By Mark Carlson, Reporter

Fire destroys a business and two apartments on Jackson Avenue in Iowa City on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. (Mark Carlson/KCRG)

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By Mark Carlson

Story Created: Jan 23, 2013 at 6:37 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa City fire investigators are still searching for the cause of a massive business fire that started Tuesday night. Fire crews were first called to the Dental Lab Inc., 1515 Jackson Avenue, at about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire Marshal John Grier said the fire is believed to have started in one of two apartments attached to the back of the building. “That’s the way it’s looking right now,” Grier said. “But we still have some work to do.”

According to the Iowa City police activity log, the fire was originally reported as a “kitchen fire.” Grier said the initial report was made by a third party. Two people were inside one of the apartments when the fire started, both escaped safely.

Grier said the fire is one of the worst he’s seen in several years. “The conditions were bad,” he said. “This one was very tough for everyone.”

Heavy damage could make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but Grier said he is confident the case will be successfully closed.

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