Iowa Fire Officials Change Policy on Flood Zone Fires

Fire officials in Cedar Rapids say they have a different policy for battling fires at buildings vacated by the city’s historic 2008 floods.

The Gazette reports Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow says firefighters are expected to keep fires from spreading to other structures. But they may opt not to enter the building. He says it’s to keep firefighters from getting killed when securing a house that is presumed to be unoccupied.

The fire department says it does not have a directive from city officials for its policy, but it weighs the risk in each case.

A fire that destroyed a former grocery store on Nov. 30 is believed to be the 39th blaze in areas affected of the 2008 floods. The building was eligible for historic recognition.