House in Iowa Catches Fire Friday Evening Fire Department Investigates
I was scrolling through local updates late Friday when I saw the alert—a house fire had broken out near Ashworth Road and Seventh Street in West Des Moines. It happened just before 9 p.m., and honestly, it hit close to home. Not because I live nearby, but because these incidents always remind me how fast things can go wrong—even on an ordinary evening.
The homeowner had just enough time to spot the fire, call 911, and get out safely. No one else was inside. By the time fire crews arrived, heavy smoke was pouring from the rear of the house. They got to work fast, containing the flames within half an hour. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
But here’s what matters: the fire didn’t spread beyond one room—but the smoke did. That’s something many of us forget. Even a “small” fire can leave behind massive damage, especially when smoke travels through vents and walls.
Now, the West Des Moines Fire Department is digging into the cause, and while the scene is clear, the questions aren’t.
What Happened on Ashworth Road Friday Night?
I came across the full report on
WHO13
, and the timeline is quick—but intense.
Just before 9 p.m., someone living on Ashworth Road near Seventh Street saw smoke and realized their house was on fire. That split-second decision to call for help and step out probably saved their life.
By the time the fire crews showed up, thick smoke was already pushing out from the rear of the house. That’s usually a sign the fire had been building for a few minutes. You don’t see that much smoke instantly—it takes time to fill a space. That’s what makes residential fires so dangerous. You think you have time… but you really don’t.
This wasn’t some random passerby calling it in—it was the homeowner themselves. That tells me two things:
If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just check it myself” before calling 911, take this as your reminder. Seconds matter.
We’ve seen similar fast-response saves in other states too—like
this Southern Indiana home that burned in a massive blaze but had no injuries
.
How Fire Crews Responded Within Minutes?
Here’s what really impressed me. Once the West Des Moines Fire Department got on scene, they didn’t waste a moment. They set up a line fast, pushed toward the smoke, and had the fire under control within 30 minutes.
That kind of response doesn’t just happen. It means the crew was trained, ready, and probably knew the area well. But here’s the detail that stuck with me—they managed to keep the flames contained to just one room. That’s not easy. Fire spreads fast, especially through older homes or ones with lots of open space.
But even though the flames stayed local, the smoke didn’t. It traveled through the house, getting into walls, ceilings, and maybe even vents. I’ve seen cases where smoke causes more damage than fire itself.
If you’ve never thought about how smoke affects your home, you should. It lingers. It stains. And in some cases, it’s toxic. That’s why even a “small” fire like this still leaves behind a huge recovery job.
And while this homeowner avoided injury, not everyone’s that lucky—
a family of seven in New York lost their entire home in a similar fire
.
Fire Origin & Ongoing Investigation
Right now, the West Des Moines Fire Department has opened an official investigation into what caused the fire. They haven’t released a final report yet, but based on similar cases across Iowa, there are a few likely suspects.
Most often, these fires start from:
- Faulty wiring or overloaded outlets
- Unattended candles
- Space heaters
- Cooking appliances left on
And sometimes it’s something as basic as a power strip tucked behind a couch.
As homeowners, we tend to overlook the everyday stuff. You might even have a few of these risks sitting in your living room right now—I know I did before I started covering these incidents regularly.
If you’re the type who plugs in five things on one socket or leaves the kitchen for “just a second” while cooking, trust me, now’s the time to rethink it.
In some tragic cases, everyday hazards like fireworks have led to devastating outcomes—like
this Missouri teen who died in a house fire just days after beating cancer
.
No Injuries, But What’s Next for the Homeowner?
Thankfully, no one was hurt. But let’s not mistake that for “everything’s fine.”
A home fire—even one that stays in one room—can flip your life upside down. I’ve seen families displaced for weeks just dealing with smoke damage, electrical repairs, and insurance back-and-forth.
In this case, the homeowner did everything right: spotted the danger, called for help, and got out safely. But now comes the tough part—the cleanup.
Smoke doesn’t just stain walls—it seeps into furniture, ductwork, insulation. Even if you can’t see the damage, you’ll smell it. And fixing that? It’s not cheap, and it’s definitely not quick.
If this ever happens to you, here’s what you’ll likely need to deal with:
-
Temporary relocation
(even for just a few days) -
Insurance inspection + claim
(often a slow process) -
Specialized smoke cleaning
(not a DIY job) -
Electrical rewiring
in the affected areas
So yeah, no injuries is a relief. But there’s still a long road ahead for that homeowner.
Ever dealt with smoke damage or had a close call with a house fire? Drop your experience or a tip in the comments—someone else might really need it.
Iowa Fire Prevention Tips – What Every Homeowner Must Know
Look, I’ve covered enough house fires in Iowa to know the pattern—and I’ve made some of the same mistakes myself.
That’s why I’m not just going to tell you what went wrong. Let’s talk about how you and I can avoid being the next headline.
Here are five no-nonsense tips every Iowa homeowner should actually follow:
Because here’s the truth: the difference between a scare and a tragedy is often just a working alarm or a five-second decision.
Homeowners across Iowa have been sharing real-time updates and local alerts through WhatsApp safety groups—sometimes even faster than news reports. If you’re someone who likes staying informed that way, you’ll probably find those conversations worth joining.
Final Thoughts
What happened in West Des Moines could’ve ended a lot worse. No one was hurt, and fire crews kept it from turning into a full-blown disaster. But for me—and maybe for you too—it’s a reminder that fire safety isn’t just something we talk about after the sirens stop.
It starts with the small stuff: a working smoke alarm, a clear exit path, an outlet that isn’t overloaded.
You don’t need to panic. You just need to be prepared.
Want more real stories and home safety tips? Explore our
Home Security
section for firsthand accounts and prevention advice.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace official fire safety guidance. Always follow advice from your local fire department and certified safety experts. Details are based on current news reports and may change as investigations develop.
Table of Contents
-
What Happened on Ashworth Road Friday Night?
-
How Fire Crews Responded Within Minutes?
-
Fire Origin & Ongoing Investigation
-
No Injuries, But What’s Next for the Homeowner?
-
Iowa Fire Prevention Tips – What Every Homeowner Must Know
-
Final Thoughts
