ALBIA, Iowa — Residents gathered in Albia’s town square to watch as firefighters fought a massive fire that burnt the R-O Cramer building to the ground Monday.

“It’s like a death in the family,” said Jackie Maddy, a lifelong Albia Resident. “You know, and granted, it’s a building. But, you know, the, the town’s celebration is based around these old buildings, restoration days.”

Maddy said it wasn’t easy watching the R-O building burn down.

“When you lose a building like this, because this is a you know, and this is a a key building, you know, it just breaks your heart,” Maddy said.

Mallorie Varese, the owner of Albia town square business Big Blue Nutrition, said that the R-O Cramer building burning was tragic in multiple ways.

“There’s so much more to what’s going on today than just the building. And yeah, it’s a huge historic loss for Albia, but there’s families that their whole lives are just turned upside down,” Varese said.

Varese said the Albia community showed out to support the firefighters and the R-O Cramer building residents.

“We kind of have already came rallying together and accepting donations. We walked around earlier giving drinks to all the first responders and firefighters. And I think it’s really humbling to be a part of a community that rallies together and it’s such a horrible time,” Varese said.

Kim Hugen, the Monroe County Public Health Department Administrator, said that donations have been dropped off at the health department for residents.

“I know that if we need more, the community will be there and bring stuff. Someone just told us there are people coming from Ottumwa to bring water and stuff for us. So I have no doubt. I think we just need to get the fire out and take a look at what we have before we bring in too much more so that we know what we need for people,” Hugen said.

Hugen said the Monroe County Public Health Department will open at 8 a.m. and will accept donations then. Hugen also recommended people donate gift cards so those who were displaced can replace exactly what they need.

Iowa News: