An official with the Iowa City Fire Department confirmed Monday that a fire that destroyed or damaged several buildings in September started at Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery, 225 Iowa Ave.

Iowa City Fire Marshal John Grier said the department has confirmed the fire started on the first floor of Bruegger’s, though officials don’t know where on the first floor.

Grier said the fire remains under investigation, but the insurance company is sending a number of artifacts taken from the site to Anderson Engineering Co. of Streamwood, Ill., to determine the cause of the fire.

Grier said he hopes to go to Illinois for the examination, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 17 and 18.

The fire, which started in the early morning hours of Sept. 24, spread to several nearby buildings causing smoke and water damage to Takanami, Yacht Club, Studio 13, and Akar. Those businesses have since reopened.

— by Hayley Bruce