Fatal fire in Wever, Iowa
/ Jim Whitfield, KHQA
WEVER, IOWA -- Update:
The State Medical Examiner has released autopsy results on the body found inside the burned down Green Bay Tap building in Wever, Iowa on Monday.
The body has been identified as 47-year-old Kenneth Allen Thomas of Denmark, Iowa. Thomas was the bar's manager and bartender. The cause of death has been ruled smoke inhalation. The body was taken to Ankeny for identification.
An initial caller said flames were two stories high. Officials say an overhang on the building fell onto a gas meter causing a natural gas leak that helped fuel the fire for about three hours before crews could turn off the gas.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this update.
Original story:
After a bar fire in Wever early Monday, authorities found human remains in what is left of the Green Bay Tap. Emergency crews were called to the fire at 2:34 a.m. and the State Fire Marshal's Office was called in at 3:10 a.m. to assist in the investigation.
It took emergency crews several hours to extinguish the blaze. The body was found as authorities examined the fire scene. Authorities say a positive identification of the victim will be made through an autopsy. The identification of the victim will not be released until that is accomplished and next of kin is notified.
 | The Green Bay tap is located in Wever, Iowa |
To aid in the investigation and check on his well being, officials contacted bar owner Jeff Edwards of Burlington, Iowa. The building is considered a total loss.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the cause of the fire is currently undetermined as investigators continue their investigation.
Assisting at the scene were the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Wever Fire Department, Denmark Fire Department, West Point Fire Department, Burlington Fire Department, Fort Madison Fire Department and Lee County EMS.
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