Fire Near Coral Ridge Mall Leaves 22 Displaced and a Community Shaken
Hey everyone, I wanted to talk for a minute about something really serious that happened right here in our backyard—something that’s shaken our community in Coralville. Just this past Wednesday afternoon, a massive fire broke out at an apartment complex on Boston Way, not far from the Coral Ridge Mall. It was a heartbreaking scene and a real wake-up call for how fast things can change.
The fire started just after 4 p.m., and within moments, flames engulfed a significant portion of the building. At the time, twelve people were inside. Thankfully—and I mean, thank goodness—all of them made it out on their own. But that doesn’t mean it was without loss. The damage is extensive, with estimates putting it around one million dollars. What’s worse, 22 people were left without a place to go. Imagine that—losing your home in a matter of minutes.
Emergency response was huge. Crews came in from all over—West Branch, Solon, Tiffin, and beyond. The Coralville Fire Department, along with support from the Red Cross, Johnson County EMA, and United Way, jumped in quickly to help those displaced find shelter. But even with the best response, the emotional toll is real. No residents were injured, but sadly, several pets didn’t survive. Firefighters even tried CPR on a puppy that was found inside—working on it for more than 15 minutes—but it was too late. That kind of effort speaks volumes about the heart of our first responders.
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One resident, Gloria Amuda, said she was asleep when the fire started and only woke up because a neighbor banged on her window. Can you imagine being woken up like that? Her first thought was to call work—but then reality set in. “Where am I going to sleep tonight?” she said. That hits hard.
Another neighbor, Cloud Clavijo, was home all day. She smelled smoke for hours but thought it was just someone grilling. It wasn’t until she heard screams and stepped out to see flames consuming the side of the building that the gravity of the situation hit. She managed to escape with her cats and phone, but others weren’t as lucky when it came to their pets.
Investigators stayed overnight, working to figure out what started it. The cause has been ruled accidental, with early signs pointing to a fire that may have started on a deck.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t just a building fire. This was a life-changing event for 22 people who now have to rebuild. It was a loss of beloved pets, a disruption of safety and stability, and a call for community support. If you’ve got clothes, supplies, or anything you can spare—now’s the time to show up for our neighbors.
It’s easy to scroll past stories like this, but when it’s happening near us, to people who might be just a few blocks away, it becomes real. Let’s not forget that.
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