The Book Donation Center on the 4600 block of SW 9th is on fire.
Stacia Swanson, the Public Information Officer for the Des Moines Fire Department, tells WHO Radio News the building has been closed for some time. It's still full of books, however, which makes for a heavy fire load.
No one was in the building at the time and no firefighters were injured while knocking out the fire. A cause is unknown and under investigation.
Multiple Des Moines firetrucks are on the scene and ambulances are standing by. SW 9th is closed at McKinley in both directions, and detours are in place.
Photo: Wendy Wilde
Photo: Wendy Wilde