In the current bowling environment, I always wonder when I see a center go up in flames.  Much like a previous string of older Olive Gardens fires in the area, all followed by a new version in a better location.

I live in Des Moines, and have bowled at Plaza for many years. It was an icon in the city,sponsoring the high school state tournament every year since inception. It's landmark was a statue neon bowler threw strikes on the roof of the building for decades.
Having said that, the first thing that came to my mind was an inside job. You hear rumors about things with the owner who I know,and he has brought a lot debt to hisself with the purchase and renovation of a second center cross town,among other things.
Plaza was an old building dating back to 1957, it showed it's age,and mechanically, it needed some upgrades. I was subbing last year on a pair of lanes, the motor and wiring for the ball return by the pinsetter burned up, we was down for 1.45 hr's, and that was not the first time that happened recently.
Personally I hope it is rebuilt and back in action, a lot of people lost something in that fire. Lots of equipment in lockers, jobs at the restaurant/bar/etc..