Alarm forces evacuation during Iowa girls state basketball tournament

Cherokee vs. Estherville-Lincoln Central game was being played at time of alarm

An alarm going off caused a delay in the action at the Iowa girls high school state basketball tournament in Des Moines Monday night. / X/Paul Yeager

An alarm going off led to an evacuation of the site of the Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament Monday night.

During the sixth of seven games scheduled for the day, a local fire department was called to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines to investigate.

“We have been asked to evacuate the building while the arena determines the cause of the alarm going off,” the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union X account posted. “We will continue to give updates here as we receive more information.”

We have been asked to evacuate the building while the arena determines the cause of the alarm going off. We will continue to give updates here as we receive more information.

— IGHSAU (@IGHSAU) March 4, 2025

Along with the conclusion of the Cherokee vs. Estherville-Lincoln Central Class 3A quarterfinal, one more game pitting Dubuque Wahlert vs. Spirit Lake is scheduled to tip at 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday will bring another full day of action, with one more scheduled for Wednesday to determine the semifinals in all five classes.

Fire truck has arrived to bus dock at Wells Fargo Arena. pic.twitter.com/TWbrwuqbhL

— Paul Yeager (@PaulYeager) March 4, 2025

It has been reported that an issue with the concession stand ventilation system malfunctioning led to the alarm being sounded. Once the fire department gave officials the all-clear, fans were allowed back in.

The delay spanned roughly 11 minutes.

There was an issue with a concession stand and malfunctioning ventilation system that set off the alarm. We are waiting for the all clear from the fire department before people may return to the venue.

— IGHSAU (@IGHSAU) March 4, 2025