For Immediate Release

UPDATE: Victim Identified in Fatal House Fire Near West Branch

June 2, 2026 (JOHNSON COUNTY, IA)  The victim of the fatal house fire that occurred at 3539 Johnson Cedar Road NE in West Branch on May 30, 2026, has been identified as William Rung, 67, of West Branch, Iowa.

###

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal House Fire Near West Branch

May 30, 2026 (JOHNSON COUNTY, IA) This morning at 4:29am the Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center received calls reporting a residential fire at 3539 Johnson Cedar Road NE in West Branch. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding area fire departments arrived on scene at 4:43am to a two-story, single-family residence that was fully engulfed in flames. Once the fire was extinguished, one victim was located and recovered from the fire scene. The victim was deceased. 

No further information is available at this time and further details will be released pending family notification. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Fire Marshal, West Branch Fire Department, Tipton Fire Department, Solon Fire Department, West Liberty Fire Department, and Johnson County Ambulance Service.

###