Fire guts vacant Waterloo greystone apartment building; demo calls renewed | Local News

WATERLOO — A second fire in nine months extensively damaged an abandoned city-owned greystone apartment building in the 900 block of Commercial Street Sunday morning, renewing concerns about its ongoing safety and structural integrity.

Firefighters were called to 925 Commercial St. about 5 a.m. and remained on the scene at least three hours later, working through the structures. The building was still smoldering at 8 a.m. Smoke was emanating from a top-floor window at that time.

Fire Battalion Chief Mike Moore said this fire resulted in more extensive damage than the November blaze, including floor damage to the upper levels. A cause has not yet been determined.

While the building has been abandoned, Moore said, it has been known to have been used periodically by “squatters” who take shelter there though they have no tenancy or ownership.

Moore said firefighters were doing their best to work through the structure Sunday to make sure the fire is completely out. “We’re just trying to keep our guys safe,” he said.

“It needs to come down,” Moore said of the building. “It’s extremely dangerous.”

In November a man was rescued from the building and charged with criminal trespass. He had started a fire there to try to keep warm.

The building was acquired by the city of Waterloo in 2014. It is just one of many buildings the city seized through court orders after they became eyesores and, in some cases, dangerous nuisances.

The building is proposed for demolition. The City Council budgeted $300,000 in bond proceeds for demolition work during the current fiscal year. The 925 Commercial building and two other large structures are expected to cost about half that amount to demolish, but that does not include asbestos abatement.