ALBIA – Authorities have identified the body that was found in the aftermath of the fire that burned down a building in the Albia downtown square last month.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday that they had been notified by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office that the remains were identified as those of 61-year-old Kelly Rea Cummings. According to the initial autopsy report, she had died of natural causes before the fire started. 

The fire broke out on the morning of July 14. Fire crews from around the area converged on the R.O. Cramer building to fight the blaze, remaining on scene for over a full day. The building, which housed apartments in its upper level and four businesses in its lower level, was ultimately destroyed by the fire. Cummings had been a tenant of one of the apartments.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s Office. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said that it is believed that the fire and Cummings’ death were unrelated.