Monday Night Fire Destroys Old General Store in Viola

A fire on Monday night destroyed a landmark in a small Linn County community.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says responders were called to a report of a building on fire at 3182 Pleasant Street in Viola around 5:30 pm. Responders arrived to find the building, which locals call the “Old General Store”, on fire.

The landmark was completely destroyed by the fire. No nearby buildings were damaged. 

No one was injured. 

The Sheriff’s Office says someone was living there, but was not home when the fire broke out. They have been put in touch with the Red Cross for further assistance.

The cause of the fire is not known, but it’s under investigation by the Springville Fire Department.

Linn County Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by fire departments from Springville, Anamosa and Martelle, as well as Anamosa Ambulance.

photo courtesy of Linn County Sheriff’s Office