Iowa high school bowling team loses all of its gear in massive fire
By Beau Bowman
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OSCEOLA, Iowa (KCCI) — A massive fire destroyed Alley Bowl in Osceola over the weekend, wiping out the venue used by Clarke Community High School’s bowling team and destroying much of the team’s equipment days before postseason play.
Cooper Ciecalone, a senior, said, “I was in distraught. Heartbreaking. Because obviously you have a lot of memories in here in the bowling alley, a lot of family made community.”
When Alley Bowl burned to the ground, the team’s gear was inside. Ciecalone said, “I had five balls, which could be savable; we’ll have to see when I’m able to throw them.”
Jeff Giza, the head coach and owner of the bowling alley, said, “Watching it fall gradually really slowly, it was heartbreaking.” He added, “It’s tough knowing that every day I came in here ritually 11-12 in the morning and here until 9, 10, 11 at night sometimes and just knowing it all probably gone.”
Giza says the fire originated in the bar next door, The Broken Spoke, before spreading to the bowling alley. The Broken Spoke was also destroyed. Folks are raising money for the Broken Spoke’s owner, Karla Ciecalone through Venmo (@Karla-Jane).
Since the fire, the high school’s booster club has launched a fundraiser for bowlers who lost equipment, and nearby alleys have offered to raise money and help fit new gear.
Ciecalone said, “We’re hoping to bounce back and maybe make a state appearance. Makes me love the community that we’ve been able to build over the past few years here.”
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