Fire Crews from several area departments were called to battle a large fire at Maple Lanes bowling center in Waterloo Tuesday morning.
Waterloo Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Ben Petersen tells the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier they were notified about 4:30 a.m. that the bowling center at 2608 University Ave. was on fire.
Petersen said an employee of the bowling center came to a nearby fire station and said they had been robbed and that the suspects had set the place on fire.
Petersen says that upon arrival fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the building. They found fire in front of the building at the pro shop and kitchen areas that had extended into the ceiling.
"We're getting a hold of it " Petersen told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier at 6:30 a.m. "We have it knocked down."
He said he didn't believe the actual bowling lanes had been damaged by flames. The call went out to fire departments from Cedar Falls, Hudson, Raymond, Evansdale and Gilbertville to respond the scene.
The employee is a custodian in the building doing overnight cleaning, fire officials said. He said robbers assaulted him. The custodian is being questioned by police.
Fire officials are using a drone to get a better look at the building.
(Photo: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)