Responding fire crews reported seeing a large column of black smoke 10 blocks from the Cedar Wood Hills Apartment Complex this morning. On their arrival crews reported smoke and fire coming from apartment 201. Crews attacked the fire while simultaneously searching the 30 unit apartment building.

Prior to the arrival of emergency responders Complex Managers, employees of Maxus Properties, had already evacuated an estimated 20 apartment tenants. Fire crews evacuated an additional four tenants. Several tenants were evaluated by Paramedics as a precaution, but no tenants were transported to the hospital.

The apartment sustained heavy smoke, heat, and fire damage, however fire crews were able to extinguish the fire before it extended to adjacent apartment units. The occupant, Tiffany Langton 33, her child and four guests were home at the time of the fire and were alerted of the fire by a working smoke alarm.

The Red Cross will be assist tenants unable to return to the building. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department was assisted by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Cedar Rapids Area Ambulance Service, Cedar Rapids Animal Control, and Alliant Energy.

The building is owned by Maxus Properties of Kansas City, Missouri.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No further information is available at this time.