Fire destroys rural home Thursday afternoon

To The Press

A rural home was destroyed in a fire Thursday afternoon, about 7½ miles southwest of Charles City toward Marble Rock.

A passerby reported the fire at 12:10 p.m., according to the Charles City Fire Department. The home is in the 2400 block of Miner Avenue.

Smoke and fire were visible on the exterior of the house when firefighters arrived, according to a report by Fire Chief Eric Whipple.

“No one was home at the time of the fire, and it is likely that the fire had a significant head start prior to the passerby report to 911,” Whipple said. “Fire, smoke, and water damage was major, with the home likely a total loss.”

Two CCFD engines and a tanker responded to the fire, and firefighters remained on scene for about three hours, the report said.
“The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it is believed to be due to spontaneous combustion of oily rags that were not in a proper container within the residence,” the report said.

There were no injuries reported by firefighters or residents.

The home is owned by John Ruzicka, according to the Floyd County Assessors GIS website. The Red Cross has been contacted to assist with any needs of the displaced family.

Assisting the CCFD at the scene were Greene Fire Department, Marble Rock Fire Department, Rockford Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, Floyd County Search and Rescue, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and Floyd County EMA.