No injuries reported following appliance fire in Old Capitol Mall

Smoke could be seen from the building Saturday night, and the fire was quickly contained by the Iowa City Fire Department.

DI Staff

April 25, 2026

Iowa City first responders speak after controlling an appliance fire at the Old Capitol Mall in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

This story has been updated to reflect the cost of the damages.

Iowa City Fire Department responded to a fire on April 25 at the Old Capitol Mall, following an appliance malfunction.

There were no injuries, Scott Lyon, fire chief of the Iowa City Fire Department, told The Daily Iowan on scene.

At 9:27 p.m., the University of Iowa Hawk Alert reported a building fire inside the Old Capitol Mall, warning students and staff to avoid the area.

A Hawk Alert at 10:12 p.m. on Saturday evening said the fire department extinguished the small fire, and normal activity could resume.

Smoke was visible in the lobby of the Old Capitol Mall late Saturday night. Roughly a dozen emergency vehicles responded to the fire.

Lyon said there was minimal damage, aside from a refrigerator.

According to an April 26 release from the city of Iowa City, damage from the fire totaled approximately $5,000.