ATF Rules Out Arson in Fire at Historic Younkers Building

A fire last weekend that destroyed the historic Younkers building that was intended to be a cornerstone of efforts to redevelop Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines was not deliberately set,

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which has been investigating the enormous blaze, said the cause is unknown, but ruled out arson, the Des Moines Register reports.

Speculation that the fire might have been intentionally set grew when the body of Bob Knapp, a developer who had recently been released from prison after serving time on charges related to the illegal disposal of asbestos from another downtown redevelopment project was found in a burned-out car in Guthrie Center a day after the Younkers fire.

Asbestos disposal has been an issue at both the Equitable building, Knapp’s project, and the Younkers building.

John Ham, an ATF spokesman, said investigators haven’t turned up anything that would suggest Knapp was involved. Last week, ATF officials said the coincidence of the fire and the discovery of Knapp’s body was too great not to explore.

ATF agents are done investigating the charred remains of the building and will now begin analyzing thousands of photos, videos and other documentation to determine the cause of the massive blaze.