Fire Destroys Eastern Iowa Home, Smoke Closes Highway

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed an Eastern Iowa family's home and garage, and closed down traffic in the area.

Shortly after 11pm Monday, the Linn County Sheriff received a report of a house fire on Ellis Road, southwest of Hiawatha. Fire departments from Palo, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Atkins were called to the blaze.

Ellis Road had to be closed due to black smoke going across the roadway.

The fire started in the garage of the home and spread to the house. The tenants, identified as Jamey Sloan, Susan Lamp, and 2 children, were not at home at the time, and there were no injuries.

The home is a total loss.