ANKENY, Iowa — A 2-alarm fire at a townhome complex in Ankeny has left several units damaged and several families displaced.

The Ankeny Fire Department was dispatched on reports of a structure fire at a townhome complex located in the 1400 block of SW Twin Gates Drive, on Ankeny’s southwest side.

While enroute to the scene, fire crews noticed a huge plume of smoke and upgraded the call to a 2-alarm fire, bringing in additional assistance for surrounding fire departments. Ankeny fire crews arrived on scene and found a well-involved townhome fire, which was attached to five other townhomes.

Fire crews began immediate efforts to extinguish the flames and began an aggressive search of the residence for any occupants or pets. While doing so, two firefighters received minor burns to their wrists and were transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

During the extinguishments, crews had to be split into several groups to extinguish the fire and search for occupants in the adjacent townhomes. The fire department says four of the six townhomes were damaged, in varying degrees, during the extinguishment and overhaul stages.

The Ankeny Fire Departments says that due to the extent of the damage to the complex, Polk County Emergency Management was contacted to coordinate assistance for the occupants with the American Red Cross.

Authorities say the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Ankeny Fire Department thanks all the agencies involved, Ankeny Police Department, Altoona Fire Department, Bondurant Fire Department, Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District, Mid-American Energy, Polk County Sherriff’s Office Communications Center, Saylor Township Fire Department, Urbandale Fire Department, and West Des Moines Fire Department.