Cedar Rapid firefighters were familiar with the structure when they got the call Monday.
It was at the vacant factory where a firefighter fell down an elevator shaft -- about 30 feet -- just three days earlier
"The male firefighter was located, rescued, treated on scene, and then transported to a local hospital. His injuries are consistent with the fall, they are serious. But, they are not life- threatening and he is continuing treatment as we speak today," Fire Chief Greg Smith told CBS2Iowa.
Hearing the 'Mayday' from his crew was tough for Smith
"In my career, that's the first mayday that has been called for somebody in a live fire structure. You hear it on the radio, it makes your heart sink. Obviously, it's just intense focus until you know that the crews located that individual."
He added that the fire was caused by people, not fireworks or lightning. Firefighters searched the building Friday to make sure there was no one else inside.
"The building was recently placarded by the city our code enforcement department or division on June 26. And so, at that point, only authorized maintenance and property-owner-approved persons could be inside. So the individuals that were there on that Friday morning were not authorized to be there."
