Crime & Safety

FIRE IN DOWNTOWN DES MOINES: 'Oh, My God! The Building's Collapsing! Oh, My God!'

Top floor of building collapses as firefighters battle blaze.

An overnight fire at the former Youngers building in downtown Des Moines damaged nearby buildings and continued to burn well into Saturday, and authorities say the shell is considered to be an asbestos contaminated site and will require specialized removal.

The building, which was being renovated into apartments and retail, did not have an active fire alarm or sprinkler system, fire officials told The Des Moines Register

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