CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG TV9)- The exact cause of a fire that filled the skies around the NewBo District in Cedar Rapids with smoke Sunday may never be known.
Fire investigators say they’ve determined there was no gas or electric service at the city-owned building at the former Sinclair meatpacking plant site.
Firefighters say a “human element” is likely involved. But they’re unsure if the fire was an accident or deliberately set by someone. The destruction was so extensive it won’t be possible to make a determination.
The city tore down other buildings at the Sinclair site years ago following an earlier arson fire.
The building that caught fire Sunday remained standing because it was not in the way of flood control construction in the area and future redevelopment plans were uncertain.
City officials were unsure if anything was stored in the brick warehouse-type building.