Cedar Rapids Fire That Sent 8 To Hospital Was Intentionally Set

[UPDATED 5/10 11 a.m.] The Cedar Rapids Fire Department now says a morning fire on Harbet Ave. N.W. was intentionally set. They say the fire started in the hallway of the apartment building.

There were a total of 12 people in the building at the time of the fire. Some jumped to safety, while others used fire escape ladders. Eight people were injured, the most serious an adult who fractured a leg. A baby, and other occupants were mostly treated for smoke inhalation.

Authorities believe the building's smoke alarms activated, allowing several people to escape after getting the early warning the alarms provided.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the Cedar Rapids Fire Department at (319) 286-5200.

[ORIGINAL STORY] A fire broke out at a 3-story Cedar Rapids apartment complex early this morning, sending more than half of those in the building to the hospital.

According to a release from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, the fire was reported to the CRFD at 3:42 this morning. The blaze was in a building at 126 Harbet Ave. N.W. When firefighters arrived on the scene of the two-alarm fire, they encountered heavy smoke and "people hanging from windows."

Firefighters used a ladder truck to rescue people from the building while getting the fire under control and then entering the structure. The department states that five of the six apartments in the building were occupied, with between 13 and 15 people inside at the time of the fire.

The Area Ambulance Service provided emergency medical services, along with officers from the Cedar Rapids Police Department. A total of eight people were taken to area hospitals.

CBS 2 reports Katilyn Duron told them that she, her husband, and their baby had to jump to safety from the building's second floor.

The American Red Cross will be assisting those displaced by the fire, which is still under investigation.