Ten People Escape Cedar Rapids Fire

A Cedar Rapids duplex caught fire Thursday night with ten people inside. Thankfully, no one was injured, and Cedar Rapids firefighters saved Christmas for the family.

The blaze, which broke out at 369 15th Street SE, just after 10 p.m. Thursday evening, was in an upstairs/downstairs duplex. According to a release from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, ten people inside the residence had already exited safely when firefighters got to the scene. Upon arrival, they encountered what's described as "heavy fire conditions to the rear of the duplex residence."

The responding crews also saved the family's Christmas tree and gifts, loading the gifts in the pickup of the Cedar Rapids Fire Batallion Chief. They then delivered them to a neighbor for safekeeping. That's what you call going the extra mile. Well done!

The family is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

[via Cedar Rapids Fire Department]