Firefighters called to former apartment building downtown

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Sioux City firefighters are looking for the cause of a downtown fire on Wednesday night.

Crews were called to the former Argonaut Apartments building at 1103 Nebraska Street around 7:30 p.m. The four story building had been red tagged in March 2023 after owners failed to correct numerous housing deficiencies.

“We know there’s no gas or electricity to the fire itself, but there’s still contents inside of it from… obviously, it was an apartment building before that, they didn’t probably remove a lot of stuff,” Sioux City Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Joe Rodriguez said. “It could be furniture, different tools, you just never know what people are also bringing into these red tagged buildings.”

Firefighters told KCAU 9 that on arrival, crews found smoke and a few small fires in the basement of the building. Officials added that they’re still searching to see if anyone was inside.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This is a developing story.

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