Johnson County Secondary Roads Building Damaged by Fire, Explosions in Garage Hindered Firefighters

A series of explosions complicated work for Iowa City firefighters Monday evening as they attempted to extuinguish a fire at the Johnson County Secondary Roads Building on the outskirts of town.

According to a Iowa City Fire Department (ICFD) media release, firefighters responded to a structure fire at the building at 4810 Melrose Avenue at 4:43 p.m. The initial response involved Quint 2, Truck 1, Engine 1, and a Battalion Chief.

As Quint 2 arrived on the scene, responders witnessed heavy smoke and fire showing from the roof of a single story building housing offices and vehicle storage areas for Johnson County Secondary Roads, according to the release. Backup was requested in the form of additional engines and off-duty Iowa City Fire Department personnel.

See Also: County facility damaged in fire (Press-Citizen) Includes picture from scene.

Engine 1, Truck 1, and Battalion arrived on scene at 4:53 p.m. and Quint 2 then initiated fire attack assisted by Engine 1, according to the release.

At this point, several small explosions from inside the garage area kept fire personnel from entering the building and fighting it from the inside. Firefighters changed strategies, acting to contain the fire from the outside until the explosions lessened.

A third alarm assignment provided staffing from mutual aid fire departments from Coralville, Hills, Solon, West Branch, Swisher, Tiffin, Riverside, and Lone Tree for fireground activities and also for response to subsequent calls within the city. Johnson County Ambulance and MidAmerican Energy also assisted at the scene.

The main body of the fire was brought under control around 5:39 p.m. with firefighters working throughout the night to extingish fires in concealed areas.

No injuries were reported from the blaze.

The origin of the fire was determined to be in the garage area of the building where the explosions were taking place. The cause of the fire still under investigation by the ICFD Fire Investigation Team.