Cedar Rapids Park Fire Intentionally Set, Officials Say

By Jeff Raasch, The Gazette and KCRG

(Jeff Raasch/The Gazette) Firefighters cut a hole in the roof of a restroom after a fire inside the structure at Cedar Valley Park in southeast Cedar Rapids this afternoon. Arson is suspected. There were no injuries, but the roof was damaged.

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jun 29, 2009 at 1:59 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 29, 2009 at 1:59 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Fire officials say a fire that started in a park restroom this afternoon was intentionally set.

A roll of toilet paper was still ablaze in the men’s restroom at Cedar Valley Park when firefighters arrived around 1:05 p.m. Flames were showing from the structure.

They quickly knocked down the fire, but smoke continued to roll from the roof. Two holes were cut in the roof to get to hot spots.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the fire originated above the door frame to the men’s restroom and spread to the rafters.

Two women sitting at a park bench in the park, which is just off Otis Road SE in the Rompot neighborhood, reported the fire.

The restroom is locked overnight, but unlocked in the morning. No electrical wiring was near the origin of the fire, Buelow said.

“Something must have been set up there and that ignited the fire,” Buelow said. “It’s obvious it would be an intentional fire.”

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