Fatal Fire in Swisher, Plus a Garage Fire in Hiawatha

Authorities are investigating a deadly fire that happened in Johnson County early Wednesday morning (Aug. 18).

At about 5:15am, emergency workers were called to a house fire at 1726 Derby Avenue NW in Swisher. Fire departments from area communities were called out to help douse the blaze. It was contained to the 2nd story of the home.

The First Responders found 2 residents inside the house; they were identified as 38 year old Jeremy Ludvicek and 59 year old Linda Ludvicek.
Linda was pronounced dead at the scene; Jeremy was taken by ambulance to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

The origin of the fatal fire is still under investigation.

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Agencies responding to the scene of the blaze, included the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Iowa State Fire Marshall, Swisher Fire Department, North Liberty Fire Department, Fairfax Fire Department, the Area Ambulance Service, and Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center.
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An electrical malfunction is suspected of starting a fire that destroyed an Eastern Iowa garage.

Emergency personnel were called out shortly after 10pm Wednesday (Aug. 18), to a structure fire at 10210 Hall Road north of Hiawatha.

When fire crews arrived they found the blaze had become fully engulfed, and the garage was a total loss.

Fire fighters extinguished the fire, and also prevented it from spreading to other buildings.

According to authorities, the fire was started by a suspected electrical issue.
No one was injured.

Responding to the garage fire, were the Linn County Sheriff, Linn County Rescue, Fire Departments from Monroe, Palo, Robins, Hiawatha, and Center Point, and the Hiawatha Ambulance Service.

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