Fire Destroys 2 Iowa Businesses

Authorities continue to investigate a fire that destroyed two businesses and heavily damaged another in Riceville in northern Iowa.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire late Friday night.

Officials say the blaze started in the rear of County Line Locker and spread to the nearby True Value Hardware store. Both businesses were gutted by the fire.

Fire Chief Lyle Eastman says the upper level of the hardware store was the site of the former Riceville Theater and Opera House and had some historic value in the community.

He says the a NAPA Auto Parts store near the locker was also damaged.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Source: Globe Gazette.