Fire Damages West Des Moines Restaurant But Sprinkler System Saves the Day

A fire at a West Des Moines restaurant caused at least $15,000 in damages, the Des Moines Register reports citing unnamed officials. 

However, the sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading to the other dozen-plus businesses in the strip mall where House of Hunan is located, the Register reports. No patrons were present in the restaurant and no one was injured. 

Several bystanders notified police after seeing smoke coming out of the roof of the restaurant in the 5900 block of Ashworth Road, around 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the Register. 

A worker said there had been a flash fire in the kitchen, and firefighters discovered smoke and flames in the attic and an exhaust pipe leading from the stove to the roof, according to the Register. The damage estimate could climb, too, the newspaper reported.