Electrical failure ruled as cause of Rose Bowl fire

MASON CITY | Electrical failure in the wiring above the ceiling in the banquet room caused the fire at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, according toMark Christiansen, fire marshal with the Mason City Fire Department.

The fire, which was reported by an employee working inside the bowling alley at 3:12 a.m., involved the banquet room addition that was added to the original building in the 1980s.

The employee reported seeing fire in the banquet room prior to exiting the building, Christiansen said in a press release.

The fire originated above the suspended ceiling in the banquet room, according to Christiansen. It traveled throughout the wooden rafters before burning through the ceiling and igniting the room contents.

The east interior wall of the banquet room (former west exterior wall of the original building) was able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading into the original building, Christiansen said.

Fire did enter the original building through a set of double doors that were open, causing some damage to the bar and kitchen area.

Video from the building's security system was recovered and analyzed with the help of the employees from Central Lock of Mason City. The video confirms the fire originated in the banquet room ceiling space, according to Christiansen.

Additional footage from an exterior camera shows the exterior lights flickering for several minutes before finally losing power, he said.

"Investigator Brian Schupe from the State Fire Marshals Office contacted our departmentand offered to assist in the investigation, and his help was greatly appreciated," Christiansen said.

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Electrical failure ruled as cause of Rose Bowl fire