Fires

Disasters and Emergencies

House and Building Fires

Fire is the most common of all hazards. Every year, fires cause thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in property damage.

A fire can engulf a structure in a matter of minutes. Understanding the basic characteristics of fire and learning the proper safety practices can be the key to surviving a house or building fire.

For additional information about fire safety, escape planning and more, visit the U.S. Fire Administration website.

Brick house with roof on fire and smoke covering sky

Know what to do before, during, and after a fire.

Learn More

Iowa disaster history

Merle Hay Mall Younkers Fire of 1978

The original Younkers store at Merle Hay Mall was destroyed by a fire that broke out about 9:30 AM on November 5, 1978. The fire caused an estimated $20 million in damage, and ten store employees lost their lives. The store was closed for nearly a year in order to rebuild. Des Moines fire officials announced the following spring that a probable source of the Younkers fire was a hydrogen buildup, caused by alkaline water from a heating and cooling system dripping onto copper and aluminum. They surmised that an electrical spark such as static electricity could have touched off the hydrogen and started the fire. Court documents filed by prosecuting attorneys in 1981 stated that an electrical malfunction caused wires that were covered in polyvinyl chloride to overheat, giving off hydrochloric acid.

Des Moines Register Archive photos: 1978 Younkers fire at Merle Hay Mall

Fatalities

$ in Damage

READY IOWA has resources that you can share on social media to promote fire preparedness in your home and community. 

Fire Preparedness Resources
Person testing smoke alarm

INSTALL. INSPECT. PROTECT.

BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER A FIRE

PREPARE FOR A FIRE

Plan and Practice

  • Develop and practice an escape plan. Make sure all family members know what to do in a fire.
      • Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
      • Practice alerting other household members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom for this purpose.
      • Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire will most likely make it impossible to see.
      • Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
      • Feel all doors before opening them. If the door is hot, get out another way.
      • Learn to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if clothes catch fire.
      • Post emergency numbers near telephones.However, be aware that if a fire threatens your home, you should not place the call to your emergency services from inside the home. It is better to get out first and place the call from somewhere else.
      • Purchase collapsible ladders at hardware stores and practice using them.
      • Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach family members how to use them.
      • Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.

      Smoke Detectors

      • Install smoke detectors. Check them once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.
      • Smoke detectors more than double the chance of surviving a fire.
      • Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and burning fires.
      • At least one smoke detector should be installed on every level of a structure.
      • Purchase smoke detectors labeled by the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).

      Check electrical wiring

      • Replace wiring if frayed or cracked.
      • Make sure wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas. Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
      • Outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
      • Only purchase appliances and electrical devices that have a label indicating that they have been inspected by a testing laboratory such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).

      Heating Devices

      • Heating devices such as portable heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces demand safe operation. Use portable heaters in well-ventilated rooms only.
      • Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors only.
      • Have chimneys and wood stoves cleaned annually.
      • Buy only approved heaters and follow the manufacturers’ directions.

      Be safe when cooking

      • Keep the stove area clean and clear of combustibles such as bags, boxes, and other appliances.
      • If a fire starts, put a lid over the burning pan or use a fire extinguisher. Be careful. Moving the pan can cause the fire to spread.
      • Never pour water on grease fires.

      The U.S. Fire Administration has more information on fire safety and firefighting.

DURING A FIRE
  • Get out as quickly and as safely as possible.
  • Use the stairs to escape. Do not use an elevator.
  • When evacuating, stay low to the ground.
  • If possible, cover your mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling smoke and gases.
  • Close the doors in each room after escaping to delay the spread of the fire.
  • If you are in a room with a closed door:
      • If smoke is pouring in around the bottom of the door or it feels hot, keep the door closed.
      • Open a window to escape or for fresh air while awaiting rescue.
      • If there is no smoke at the bottom or top and the door is not hot, then open the door slowly.
      • If there is too much smoke or fire in the hall, slam the door shut.
      • Call the fire department or 911 from a location outside the house.
AFTER YOU ESCAPE FIRE
  • Give first aid where appropriate.
  • Seriously injured or burned victims should be transported to professional medical help immediately.
  • Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when local fire authorities say it is safe.
  • Look for structural damage.
  • Discard food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.
  • Contact your insurance agent.
  • Don’t discard damaged goods until after an inventory has been taken. Save receipts for money relating to fire loss.