MASON CITY – An apartment house in downtown Mason City burned Monday.
The Kirk Apartments, located on North Federal Avenue at 2nd Street, burned Monday. City Hall in Mason City says “streets and alleys around The Kirk Apartments will be closed while the structure is assessed. This includes 2nd Street between Enterprise Alley and Commercial Alley and N Federal between 2nd and 3rd.”
Folks were evacuated. Some had to leave pets behind, NIT is told. Crowds gathered to watch the spectacle and others took photos from their nearby homes. Smoke wafted high into the sky and could be viewed for miles around.
Citizens have been advised to “please avoid the area around the Kirk Apartments, as Mason City Fire Department and Mason City Police Department personnel work to battle the fire. We realize this is a historic event, but we appreciate the space to work for our first responders.”
Area fire departments responded Monday afternoon as flames and smoke billowed out of window in the old, iconic brown and green and black structure. Firefighters remained on scene throughout the night to snuff out the heat and make sure it didn’t re-start.
The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.
Donations to those affected can be given to the Salvation Army in Mason City or United Way of North Central Iowa.
More details to follow.