Photo courtesy of Riverside Fire Department

Juveniles playing with lighters and other materials is deemed the cause of the downtown Riverside fire that was quickly contained by area fire departments.

Riverside Fire Chief Chad Smothers says the department responded to calls of smoke coming from the first floor of a commercial storefront at 31 West First Street at approximately 1:55 p.m. Sunday. Residents on the second floor were evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Smoke damage was reported to both the first and second floors of the building. Smothers says minor repairs to the flooring on the first floor are needed and living areas on the second floor remain safe for residents. The State Fire Marshal was contacted to help investigate the cause of the fire. The case has been handed over to the State Fire Marshal and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The Kalona and Hills fire Departments, Washington County Ambulance Service, Washington County Communications and Washington County Sheriff’s Office assisted.