The Keota High School gymnasium fire is under investigation, though the cause has been speculated as fireworks according to Superintendent Dennis Phelps. On Monday, July 4th, some time before 6 a.m. the roof of the gym caught fire, and before the fire fighters could put it out, a 15 by 20 foot hole had been created by the flames. The roof of the gym was made up of a mostly rubber material. There were no injuries reported, and no witnesses have stepped forward as of Tuesday. The Iowa State Fire Marshal is conducting an investigation, and the state inspector is checking for any other structural damage that may have resulted from the fire.

Phelps said they’ll know more about the damage to both the roof and floors of the gymnasium, but they may have gotten lucky as far as the floor is concerned. They had a cleaning service in the school, and had placed plastic over the gym floor so it was largely protected from the water used to put out the fire. He’s hopeful the structural damage is kept to a minimum, though he said it’s possible they could be without a gym for at least the beginning of the school year. The Keota Fire Department was first on the scene and were joined by the Sigourney Fire Department. KCII News will bring more information as it becomes official.