Fire at Metro Motors leaves one person in critical condition

Francesca Block, Des Moines Register
·1 min read

A portion of a building owned by Metro Motors, a car lot and auto shop located in northeast Des Moines, caught fire Wednesday afternoon, leaving one person in critical condition.

Officials responded to reports of an explosion and fire at the facilities, located at the 2500 block of NE 46th Ave. at 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, according to Lt. Ryan Evans of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. When fire personnel arrived, Evans said the back of the building was still on fire.

While working to put out the fire, an adult male was pulled out of the building. He suffered serious burns, according to the release. They transported him to the hospital, where he was in critical condition as of Wednesday night.

Evans said the man was the only person in the building when it caught on fire.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: One person in critical condition after fire in northeast Des Moines