Breaking news: Large fire at solvent plant in Des Moines
KCCI-TV image
WHO-TV has live streaming coverage of this fire in Des Moines, here.
KCCI-TV is also on top of the fire at Barton Solvents. The latest below. Click here for the station’s coverage.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Firefighters are facing flames leaping hundreds of feet into the air as they try to battle a plant fire at 1920 NE Broadway and 46th Ave. in Saylor Township.
Crews reported explosions and flames showing from the roof of the Barton Solvents building when they first arrived around 1:30 p.m
A large cloud of smoke can be seen from miles away….Live SkyCam
Fire crews from all across the metro are being called to the scene including Ankeny and Altoona. Crews as far away as Grimes are being put on standby.
Des Moines Hazmat crews are also on the scene.
Multiple fire crews are pouring large amounts of water onto the building on fire.
Interstate 80 Closed
Interstate 80 has been shut down from the Merle Hay ramps to the east mixmaster due to the heavy smoke. Crews will be doing air quality tests to determine how toxic the smoke is.
Police have also closed down part of Broadway and NE 14th to allow fire crews to get to the scene. They’re asking drivers to avoid the area.
Barton Solvents
Barton Solvents supplies chemical products to graphic design companies. The Polk County location is a supplier of blanket and roller washes, alcohol replacements, Isopropyl alcohol, silicones, rubber rejuvenators, ink solvents and oil, hydraulic oils, cleaners, and transportation of hazardous waste.
Barton employes close to 150 people.
Another Barton plant caught fire on July 17, 2007. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the town of Valley Center near Wichita, Kansas after an explosion and fire at that Barton plant.
