Fire Destroys Rural Charles City Home
A rural Floyd County home was destroyed by fire Thursday.
Officials said a passerby called 911 around noon after spotting the fire at 2455 Miner Ave., southwest of Charles City.
According to a press release, smoke and fire was visible from the exterior of the house when Charles City firefighters arrived. Officials believe the fire was burning for a while before being discovered.
In the news release, authorities described the damage from fire, smoke and water as major. They said the structure is likely a total loss.
The official cause of the fire hasn't been determined. Investigators believe it was caused by the spontaneous combustion of oily rags inside the home that were not in a proper container, officials said.
No injuries were reported. Authorities said no one was home at the time of the fire.
According to the Floyd County Assessors GIS website, the home is owned by John Ruzicka.
Firefighters remained at the scene for approximately three hours. Assisting Charles City were firefighters from Greene, Marble Rock and Rockford. AMR Ambulance, Floyd County Search and Rescue, Floyd County sheriff's officials and the Floyd County Emergency Agency also helped at the scene.