DES MOINES — An early morning fire at the Des Moines Renaissance Faire grounds has left at least two structures with nothing but charred framework remaining.
Police say they responded around 1:15 a.m. Monday to reports of a fire in an area of Sleepy Hollow Sports Park where the festival is held. Fire officials called in portable water tanks to contain the flames that scorched the food vendor and maintenance buildings because no hydrants are located on the fairgrounds.
Park owner Rick Flatt said he’s unsure how the fire could have started because nobody works on Sunday evenings. Authorities had to cut a padlock gate to reach the site.
Three burnt tanks were located near the fire scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.