Fire Department Responds to Building Fire on 238th Street

The North Liberty Fire Department was dispatched at 6:17 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, on a report of a fire at a recyclables processing center at 970 238th St.

Upon arrival, North Liberty firefighters found black smoke coming from an open overhead door on the east side of the building. Crews entered and found fire in a large pile of recyclable materials that was being stored for processing.  The fire was knocked down, but deep-seated smoldering existed in the pile.

Using a skid loader, firefighters removed the burning material to the exterior of the building. Extensive overhaul operations took place on the inside of the building until all hidden fire was uncovered. All occupants were out of the building at the time of the fire. Crews were on the scene for three hours.

Firefighters from Coralville, Tiffin, Swisher and Iowa City assisted in the effort, as did the Johnson County Ambulance Service and the Johnson County Emergency Communications Center.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, a loss estimate is currently unavailable.