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Investigators checking out Des Moines fire scenes UPDATE

Fire consumes Plaza Bowl before total roof collapse.  WHO TV
Plaza Bowl three-alarm fire in Des Moines December 18, 2017.  Photo WHO-TV

UPDATE:

The investigation is underway into what caused two large fires in Des Moines early Monday.   The local ATF (Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms) office is assisting local investigators.

Des Moines Fire Department Spokesman Brian O'Keefe says the bowling alley fire burned for more than nine hours, with small rekindles or hot spots throughout Monday evening.

He says the Plaza Lane property is being secured until additional forensic equipment arrives from the ATF. 

No word yet on what caused a fire on 6th Avenue, which started about an hour after the bowling alley fire Monday morning. 


(original story) 



Firefighters began their day early, Monday, fighting two large fires in Des Moines.

The first call came in shortly after 5am when a passerby spotted smoke coming from Plaza Lanes on Douglas Avenue.

Brian O'Keefe of the Des Moines Fire Department tells us when crews got there, they made entry to the building while the fire quickly engulfed it, driving them back outside.

While fire trucks were arriving to fight that blaze, another call came in of multiple structures involved in a fire in the 1400 block of 6th Avenue.  

Two people were rescued from a two-story house at that scene and taken to a hospital for their injuries.  O'Keefe says no firefighters were injured in either fire.

At one point, both Douglas Avenue and 6th Avenue were closed, allowing crews to battle the flames.

One of the two houses involved in the 6th Avenue fire had a bookkeeping business in it, according to O'Keefe.

At the height of the fires, West Des Moines, Johnston and Windsor Heights were assisting with over 11 apparatus in the fight, and seven trucks applying water at the same time.  O'Keefe says all personnel and equipment were dedicated to the two fires - plus the help of the suburbs.

He added he couldn't remember a time when they had two massive-response fires simultaneously fought, involving their entire arsenal.  

O'Keefe said there were no cars in the Plaza Lanes lot and no one was working an overnight shift at the time of the fire, so investigators will be busy finding the cause.

In the light of day only the shell of Plaza Bowl is left after massive fire.  Photo by Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek
Plaza Bowl fire scene
Des Moines house fires in 1400 block of 6th Avenue.  Des Moines Police photo

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