VIDEO: Multiple Des Moines families are without a home Friday following an apartment fire that authorities believe began with a child playing with a lighter.
The Des Moines Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 2010 6th Avenue around 2:10 p.m.
Des Moines Fire Capt. Gary Ramquist said he believes the fire started from a child playing with a lighter in one of the bedrooms on the top floor.
Witnesses reported seeing flames from the top floor of the apartment building. Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 15 minutes.
No occupants or pets were injured in the fire, but Ramquist said the situation could have played out differently if the building had a sprinkler system.
“I don't believe anyone will be able to go back inside,” he said. “A little bit different from the fire we had earlier today at the high school. It was a sprinkler save. Actually, if the building had been sprinklered, it would probably be a different story here right now."