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Massive Blaze in Keokuk

Keokuk, IA – Firefighters battled an intense blaze in downtown Keokuk throughout the night. A fire broke out at about 7:30 in a warehouse along South 7th Street. The Keokuk Fire Department says the blaze was contained about about 4:30 this morning. Firefighters remain on the scene pumping water into the building, which is part of the Southeast Iowa Redemption Center. An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire, which did not cause any injuries. The blaze filled the sky with smoke to a degree that it looked as if a fog had settled in downtown Keokuk. The cloud of smoke could be seen from miles away, even at that late hour.
Just the day before, the Keokuk Board of Adjustment delayed its hearing into whether the center was complying with the terms of its special use permit. In particular, whether recycling was taking place inside a building and if inventory was being stored in containers. The facility recieved its permit in January of 2005. The Keokuk Board of Adjustment delayed the hearing so it could find out whether the panel had the authorit to revoke the redemption center's permit.