UPDATE: Home a 'complete loss' after large fire in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said in a news release, one male received medical treatment...
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said in a news release, one male received medical treatment after flames broke out at 1605 K Avenue NE.(KCRG)
Published: Mar. 31, 2018 at 9:18 PM CDT
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A Cedar Rapids couple's home is a "complete loss" after a Saturday night fire on the city's northeast side, according to friends.

Kaity Rae created a

to raise around $5,000 for her neighbors, Ed and Jana Kotaska, after flames destroyed the couple's home at 1605 K Ave NE.

"These people are absolutely amazing, kind and helpful," Rae said in her online post. "We’ve only had the pleasure of living next door to them for one year but we have already learned how caring they are."

The fire started around 8:15 p.m. In video shot before emergency crews arrived, flames could be seen erupting from the front and sides of the property while the Kotaskas ran to save what belongings they could.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said in a news release, one male received medical treatment, but did not go into further detail. A neighbor told TV9 Ed Kotaska sustained minor burns on his back while rescuing the family's two dogs.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Authorities reported one injury after a house fire on the city’s northeast side, Saturday evening.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said in a news release, one male received medical treatment after flames broke out at 1605 K Avenue NE, but did not go into further detail. A neighbor told TV9 one of the two occupants of the home sustained minor burns on his back while rescuing two family pets.

Police had initially reported no injuries at the scene.

When fire crews arrived at the house, around 8:15 p.m., the structure was fully-engulfed in flames. Authorities said fire was showing from “all sides and floors.”

“Fire fighters made an exterior fire attack and protected surrounding homes,” said Battalion Chief Dan Dall in the release. “Once the fire was knocked down, crews entered the structure to extinguish remaining fire.”

Dall said firefighters were met with “heavy fire” in the attic of the property.

“Due to construction features, heavy fire load and time involved crews were evacuated and went into defensive mode,” said Dall. “Aerial ladder truck was used to elevate streams and to use saws to gain access into areas of the attic, and remaining fire was extinguished.”

The fire heavily damaged “all areas and floors” of the two-and-a-half story home.

The cause is under investigation.

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No one was hurt after a fire on the city's northeast side, Saturday evening, according to Cedar Rapids Police.

Fire crews headed to 1605 K Avenue NE at about 8:15 p.m.

The home there was fully-engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Crews spent around two hours getting the fire doused with water, using a ladder truck to spray down flames shooting from the property's roof.

The cause is under investigation.

This story will be updated when more information is available.

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Firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Cedar Rapids.

Crews got the call Saturday night at a home located at 1605 K Avenue.

There's no word of any injuries or what may have caused the fire.

We have a crew on the scene.

Be sure to stay with TV9 for updates.