Latest news with #DesMoinesFireDepartment
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
At least 1 person injured in Des Moines apartment fire early Tuesday
DES MOINES, Iowa — At least one person was injured in a fire at an apartment building near Merle Hay Mall Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to 3710 57th Street around 6:00 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke coming from an apartment building, according to Ahman Douglass, a firefighter with the Des Moines Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, smoke was visible, and smoke alarms were sounding. Newton death investigation underway after body found during search warrant execution Firefighters were called to 3710 57th Street around 6:00 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke coming from an apartment building, according to Ahman Douglass, a firefighter with the Des Moines Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, smoke was visible, and smoke alarms were sounding. One victim suffered injuries in the fire and has been transported to a Des Moines hospital for treatment. Their condition has not been released. 'As of right now, just the one person reported with injuries, but we did manage to evacuate some children out of that same unit and then we actually performed a complete evacuation of the structure behind us,' said Douglass. Douglass said that some residents were rescued from balconies on the back side of the building. Douglass said it could be a while before residents were allowed back inside. The heroic actions of one resident helped alert neighbors, according to a first-floor resident Meranda Ollin. She said her upstairs neighbor noticed the fire in another apartment on the second floor. 'He tried to get in the apartment because he could smell it, and he couldn't get the door open so he proceeded to knock on everybody's doors and call 911,' said Ollin. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Local impact of corporate sponsors pulling funding for Pride month At least 1 person injured in Des Moines apartment fire early Tuesday Des Moines City Council approves lighting for MacRae Park boardwalk DMPS opens free summer meal sites Des Moines Christian moving to Little Hawkeye Conference Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Investigation continues into fatal Des Moines motorcycle crash
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Police Department continues to investigate a deadly motorcycle vs. car crash that occurred Wednesday evening on the city's south side. Motorcyclist killed in crash with semi on Floyd County highway At around 6:30 p.m. the Des Moines Police Department and Des Moines Fire Department responded to a report of a motorcycle vs. car crash at the intersection of SW 9th Street and Luster Lane, near the Blank Park Zoo. According to the DMPD, the motorcyclist had died from their injuries at the scene before first responders arrived. The driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The DMPD said there were two passengers in the car, but neither were injured. The names of those involved in the crash have not been released. The DMPD said the investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing. Metro News: Investigation continues into fatal Des Moines motorcycle crash DMPS selling student-run radio station KDPS 88.1 FM DMPD ends 30×30 initiative to comply with state law banning DEI 'Suspicious package' found near Federal Building shuts down downtown DSM road Hundreds of volunteers needed for National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Homeowner describes how his family escaped burning home that left 3 dead
DES MOINES, Iowa – Early on Wednesday morning tragedy struck the Easter Lake neighborhood as a family woke up to flames engulfing their entire house. 'So when he was going up, he woke up the mother who died. He woke her up first,' said Espy Vyizigiro, the daughter of the homeowner, Yotamu. Yotamu's daughter Espy translated for her father when interviewed by WHO 13 News. The fire was described to have started right after 3 a.m. by the Des Moines Fire Department, but the family was not aware of the flames until right before 4 a.m., leaving little time to react. One of the family members was downstairs in a wheelchair when he realized that the house was burning. The individual crawled up the stairs in order to warn the family. 'So, he was also going up the stairs coming to wake us up along with my mother who also came out with him,' said Espy. 'And we don't know how my mother went back. We don't know what she went to look for. She went back without us having noticed and that's how she died.' Greenfield marks 1 year anniversary of deadly EF 4 tornado The three victims were Ndayirorere Yuliana, 72, Yotamu's wife and Espy's mother; Shannnella Nshimillimana, 18, Yotamu's daughter-in-law who was pregnant, and his niece Angela Peniel, who was 3-years-old. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family, as they were not able to get anything out of the burning home and are staying with other family members and friends. The family was helped by neighbors and congregation members of the Holy Spirit Unity Church in Des Moines. Yotamu is a pastor there, and explained how his extended family, neighbors and congregation showed up to help them while the house was still burning. Yotamu has not had time to process the loss, describing himself as depressed in the wake of losing his wife, a pregnant daughter-in-law and his 3-year-old helped in the rescue efforts, providing blankets for the escaped victims and water for first responders. One neighbor described the horror he woke up to. 'When you visibly see people being brought out of the house and, you know, obviously they're you know, they're in body bags and you can't see them, but, you know. And it, it just, it goes to you. So, you just have to pray and, you know, just hope for the family,' said Dan Claman, a neighbor who lives right across the street. The Des Moines Police Department is working through the investigation, but looks to be able to rule out foul play. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 'It looks to be that it burned really quickly and it looks like there was a handmade structure out back that may have been part of that. That's that initial fire. So, those are where they're focusing their efforts right now. They're just going to follow the evidence where they take them,' said Sergeant Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department. The one other family member who was taken to the hospital was described as being in 'stable' condition by Sergeant Parizek. Metro News: Homeowner describes how his family escaped burning home that left 3 dead Iowa man accused of fatally neglecting dog and 'dumping' its body to hide crime Names of victims in deadly Des Moines house fire released 3 dead, in south side Des Moines house fire early Wednesday Unexpected pub in Des Moines brings guests of all ages together Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire damages defunct Des Moines restaurant building
DES MOINES, Iowa — Firefighters were called out to a closed Italian restaurant on Des Moines' southeast side Monday morning after smoke was seen pouring from the building. Captain Chris Clement of the Des Moines Fire Department said crews arrived at the scene of the old Riccelli's Restaurant at 3803 Indianola Avenue a little before 8:00 a.m. He said firefighters discovered a room in the back of the building was on fire and were able to quickly contain the flames and extinguish them. Rob Sand announces run for Iowa governor There was extensive smoke damage to the rest of the building. Though the building has been boarded up for at least a few years, Capt. Clement said neighbors told them there has been a lot of homeless activity on the property. Indianola Avenue was blocked off until around 9:30 a.m. while fire crews completed their work. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire damages defunct Des Moines restaurant building Scholastic Spotlight: SEP's Skilled Trades Extension Center Interactive art installation is first of many free summer events coming to Des Moines 'This is our Black Friday' Garden centers prepare for Mother's Day rush Walk in Ankeny supports efforts for type 1 diabetes cure Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fire in boarded-up home in Drake neighborhood, DMFD investigates
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Fire Department responded to a fire at a boarded-up home in the Drake neighborhood Friday night. Just before 9 p.m., DMFD crews were called to the 2200 block of University Avenue on reports of a structure fire with heavy fire showing, according to Des Moines Fire Department Fire Chief Brian Davis 3 seriously injured in crash in Union Park neighborhood Fire crews arrived on the scene and found heavy flames coming from the three-story house. Crews began efforts to remove the boarding and knock down the flames. Once flames were under control, a primary search did not find anybody in the home. An additional engine was called in due to the several stories in the home all containing flames. Crews were able to extinguish flames on the first and second floors quickly. Flames in the attic took longer to get under control. Based on the preliminary investigation, the fire started in the back of the home on the outside before making its way inside and spreading. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
