Firefighters were called to The Crowded Closet, 1213 S. Gilbert St., at 1:55 a.m. and found heavy fire on the south side of the store. Since 1978, the second-hand store has sold donated items and channeled proceeds through the North American Mennonite Churches to meet human needs around the world.
"I was OK until my son called ... then I was going to lose it," manager Pat Stacy said while staring out the car window at stacks of charred sweaters, shoes and stuffed animals from her work place. "We are a non-profit. We are doing good. This affects people around the world."
Fire crews arrived to find the rear of the building ablaze and flames spreading quickly, officials said. That led them to summon all off-duty Iowa City firefighters as well as mutual aid from Coralville, West Branch, North Liberty, Hills, Solon, Tiffin and Lone Tree.
Officials determined the fire was deliberately set near the building's southwest exterior corner. Fire damage was limited to about 160 square feet of the interior, with smoke and water damage throughout. There were no injuries and a loss estimate was not available Tuesday night.
