05/07/2026
NORWALK, IA - May 7, 2026 - Last night, at 11:58 PM the Norwalk Fire Department was dispatched to 1019 E 17th Street, Country View Apartments, on the report of a structure fire. While enroute, crews noted flames coming from the structure and immediately upgraded the assignment to a Working Fire - 1st Alarm, requesting assistance from mutual aid agencies.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions on the northwest corner of the building. Personnel from the Norwalk Fire Department and Police Department assisted multiple residents with evacuating the structure under smoky conditions while fire crews initiated an aggressive exterior attack. A third alarm was requested to provide additional aerial suppression resources. The fire was brought under control shortly after 1:30 a.m., and crews remain on scene.
DART was requested to provide a temporary area of refuge and eventual transportation to an off-site community building. All residents are displaced at this time. Those in need have been placed in temporary housing and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. Five cats were safely removed from the building and returned to their owners.
The Norwalk Fire Department was assisted by the West Des Moines Fire Department, Urbandale Fire Department, Windsor Heights (Iowa) Fire Department, Northern Warren Fire Department, Carlisle Fire Department, Indianola Fire Department, Norwalk Police Department, Iowa, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Westcom Emergency Communications, West Des Moines Emergency Medical Services, Polk County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Warren County Iowa Emergency Management, DART, and the American Red Cross
One resident was evaluated with minor smoke inhalation but refused transport on the scene. No other injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters. No initial damage estimates are being provided at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
