Fire Crews from Six Departments Battle Weekend Fire in Downtown Charles City

That’s the sound of water being dispensed from an aerial ladder as fire crews from six departments battled a structure fire in downtown Charles City Saturday (08.23) night.

Charles City Fire Chief Sam Deverell says CCFD received the initial 911 fire call at about 5:30 pm Saturday and crews were dispatched to 108 North Main Street. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large commercial structure with heavy smoke and fire, and firefighters immediately began a fire attack. 

Mutual aid was called from several area fire departments and various public safety agencies. Close to 40 firefighters battled the blaze until around 9 pm, when the fire was extinguished.

Deverell says the cause of the fire is under investigation and there is no immediate danger to the public. 

There were no injuries.

CCFD was assisted by fire departments from Colwell, Floyd, Rockford, Marble Rock, Nora Springs and Osage. Also assisting were the Charles City Police Department, the City street and water departments, Floyd County Communications Center, Floyd County Search & Rescue, AMR Ambulance and MidAmerican Energy.

Crews closed off the 100 block of North Main Street to traffic while battling the fire, with initial reports indicating the fire was contained to the rear of the structure, causing the first floor/basement ceiling to collapse.