Firefighter Injured, Family Displaced by Fire

By Jonathon Gregg, Photojournalist / Reporter

By Ashley Hinson

LINN COUNTY - Officials say that one firefighter was taken to a Cedar Rapids hospital after battling a fire early Wednesday morning. The extent and severity of his injuries are unknown at this time.

Linn County Sherrif's office got the call just before 2 a.m. about a fire at 1902 E. Berry Road. This neighborhood is located just south of the Cedar Valley Humane Society. Linn County deputies, Linn County Rescue, and West Bertram fire were the first on scene. When fire crews arrived they say the house was "fully involved."

The Bertram Fire Department requested help from Cedar Rapids, Mt. Vernon, Lisbon, Marion, and Ely fire departments. Alliant and MidAmerican Energy were also called to the scene.

The owner of the home, Dr. Phillip Barns, his wife and their three children made it out safely. The Red Cross is now helping the family.

No word on a cause of the fire or the condition of the house.

Wednesday, May 14 at 4:37 PM Anonymous wrote ...

They have not released what fire department he was with - there were fire departments from Ely, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Lisbon and Bertram. The firefighter fell from a ladder.

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Wednesday, May 14 at 4:30 PM Priorities People! wrote ...

Im trying to understand why people are arguing over whether this was CR or not. The fact of the matter is a famiy is without a home, MANY fire departments from the area and surrounding area we dispatched to help many of which were volunteer who assist surrounging areas, and a fire fighter was injured in the process as well. I think we need to be saying thanks to the fire fighters for their work, praying for the injured fire fighter, and thanking God that the family made it out alive!

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Wednesday, May 14 at 4:18 PM Lori wrote ...

I just want to thank all of our firefighters, volunteer firefighters, EMT's and law enforcement...you are all wonderful and thanks for all your hard work no matter what the situation is. Keep any of these bad comments out of your mind, some people like to complain about anything. My husband is on the MV Fire Dept and their dept along with all the others are phenomenal! Keep on doing a great job guys and gals! God Bless and thank you for your service.

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Wednesday, May 14 at 2:09 PM Why wrote ...

Shouldn't they have released information on the Firefighter? Maybe the name should not released. But,what department, injuries, did they survive?

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Wednesday, May 14 at 2:08 PM Dustin wrote ...

Crs jurisdiction ends at the water tower on mt vernon rd heading east. For those who dont know this area its close to the Nature Center. few blocks from touch of class. FYI bertram has a very good quick response team of medical personnel and firefighters. But for law enforcment it is Linn County Sherrifs dept. And what they didnt mention was that ALL bertram FFs are volunteer. So he was hurt doing a job he didnt get paid for. That deserves respect no matter who you are. Props

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Wednesday, May 14 at 2:05 PM dustin wrote ...

This is a block from my old house that just went up in flames recently. I lived on bertram rd. Though this is indeed a cedar rapids address, it is rural linn county. When we had a problem we had to call linn cnt sheriff, it was out of crpds grid. And bertram FD is on mt vernon rd also in cedar rapids.

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Wednesday, May 14 at 12:22 PM a wrote ...

re read the article before posting a note DUH!! it says Linn County and Bertram fire department requested help from ...

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Wednesday, May 14 at 11:21 AM Justin wrote ...

People need to be smarter and more observant when reading and commenting!

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Wednesday, May 14 at 11:17 AM Whisky_NW wrote ...

To 10:39 anonymous, the article has been updated. It previously called them a "Cedar Rapids Family".

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Wednesday, May 14 at 10:39 AM Anonymous wrote ...

It doesn't say it's a Cedar Rapids home anywhere in the article. It says a fireman was taken to a Cedar Rapids hospital after battling a fire. Never says where it is at.

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Wednesday, May 14 at 10:39 AM update wrote ...

Cedar Rapids was also there.

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Wednesday, May 14 at 9:36 AM Accuracy in reporting wrote ...

How is this a Cedar Rapids home, When CRFD and CRPD did not respond? Could this be A Linn county Home or Bertram perhaps?

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Wednesday, May 14 at 8:31 AM Firefighter Fan wrote ...

I hope the hurt firefighter will be ok. I will keep the firefighter in my thoughts and prayers. The firefighters are my biggest heros next to the military in this country. I praise them all for their hard work and dedication. God bless them all.

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Wednesday, May 14 at 8:18 AM J. R. wrote ...

Greg... PROOFREAD!

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Wednesday, May 14 at 8:09 AM HMM wrote ...

HMMM

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