(photo courtesy Channel 13, WHO-TV)
(WEST DES MOINES, IOWA) West Des Moines firefighters were out in the cold around 3 a.m. to battle a fire in a room at the Valley West Inn. A woman was cut after she broke the glass to trip the fire alarm after a fire started in the room she shared with her children. Her room was damaged, three other rooms were evacuated early this morning.
West Des Moines Fire Marshall Mike Whitsell tells WHO Radio News the building was built in the 70's and didn't have extensive sprinklers like most modern buildings. He says the fire was contained to the second floor room in the northern part of the building.
Polk County Emergency Management assisted in relocating those routed from their rooms by the fire. The building is used for extended stay housing.