Investigation Begins Into Bowling Center Fire Cause

DES MOINES, IA — The Des Moines Fire Department continued to watch the smoldering remains of the Plaza Lanes bowling center fire in north Des Moines overnight and a crew and ladder truck will remain there today until officials are sure hot spots won't reignite. Shortly after the fire began Monday, a roof membrane collapsed into the building, making it difficult to get water to all burnings areas and leaving firefighters uncertain as to whether hot spots remain beneath that material.

Brian O'Keefe, fire department spokesman, said crews from two stations rotated overnight to watch the building "since we can't access everything under that membrane, and to maintain the scene for investigative purposes."

Today excavation of the roofing membrane is underway and investigators are beginning interviews with the first crews on the scene to try to determine the cause of the fire. That will include trying to ascertain whether the building was secure when the fire was reported. They'll piece together details using maps, graphics and overhead shots of the facility.

The cause of the fire may not be known for some time, O'Keefe said said this morning. "It's driven by each bit of information they receive. They have to document everything, validate it, and gather supporting information before they reach a conclusion, and they haven't even started that yet."

He said members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which arrived at the fire mid-morning Monday, were called in to assist."Between the size of the fire and the loss, we wanted assistance with that and they've been at other incidents with us," O'Keefe said. "We have a good relationship working with them."

The ATF will participate with witness interviews and on-scene forensics.

The bowling center at 2701 Douglas Ave. was a total loss. O'Keefe said a fire wall separated the far eastern portion of the building from the main site, which housed a 32-lane bowling alley, Trophy's Sports Bar & Grill, meeting rooms and locker areas. While that area separated by the fire wall appears intact, it sustained intense much heat, smoke and water damage, O'Keefe said, and it will need to be assessed for structural damage before determining whether it can be salvaged.

At the height of the fire, crews from all 10 of Des Moines' fire stations were battling the blaze. O'Keefe said the department also had members of a recruit class, who started training in August, on the scene to assist, and "they were there to get exposure, just to get the sights and sounds," he said. "It's good experience for them.

"With all the parties involved, traffic, utilities — logistically it went well," he said. "We appreciate the cooperation by the public and all the departments involved."

Photo by Melissa Myers, Patch