Fire breaks out at Des Moines business; no injuries reported

August 26, 2026 - 07:20

Fire crews in Des Moines responded to a large blaze at Bituminous Materials, a local business, after multiple drivers reported seeing thick smoke and open flames coming from the property. The call came in during the late afternoon, and the first units on scene found heavy fire showing from a section of the facility. Firefighters worked quickly to knock down the flames before they could spread to nearby structures or equipment.

No injuries were reported among workers or first responders, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Des Moines Fire Department said the fire was contained to one area of the business, though the building and some machinery sustained significant damage. Crews remained on scene for several hours to watch for hot spots and make sure the fire did not reignite.

The business, which supplies asphalt and related materials, was not open to the public at the time. Officials have not said whether the company will pause operations while the damage is assessed. Local roads near the site were briefly closed to let fire trucks and support vehicles move in and out, but they have since reopened. Anyone with information about how the fire started is asked to contact the fire marshal's office.