Minneapolis Officials Offer Updates on Recent Fires

House fire at 309 24th Ave. N. Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo

Assistant Fire Chief Cherie Penn gave the following updates on recent fires in Minneapolis.

April 11 – The basement fire in North Minneapolis on Monday night is being called arson.

Just before 10 p.m., crews were called to 309 24th Ave. N. where they found smoke coming from an occupied 1 1/2-story home.

The fire was held to the basement of the home and displaced two adults and four children.

Minneapolis police are continuing their investigation.

• View the original story and photos here.

April 11 – The two-alarm fire that damaged Lyndale Grocery & Deli on April 11 was deemed accidental.

The fire started in the basement of 2551 Lyndale Ave. S. and was caused by an electrical malfunction, according to the Minneapolis Arson Unit.

No injuries were reported at the early-morning fire.

• View the original story and videos here.

April 10 – An early-morning arson fire damaged a home at 3208 24th Ave. S.

Around 1 a.m. firefighters arrived to find the porch of a two-story home fully engulfed.

“The fire extended into the living room and was extinguished before it could spread to any other portions of the house,” Penn said.

She said the unoccupied home suffered heavy smoke damage.

• View the original story and video here.

March 31 – Officials were unable to determine the cause of a smoky two-alarm fire that gutted a multiple dwelling.

Crews were called to 2507 1 Ave. S. at 12;44 p.m. and found heavy smoke from the structure.

As firefighter attempted to battle the basement fire, they were forced from the home by deteriorating conditions. A second alarm was called to keep the fire from spreading to adjacent homes.

Penn said that the fire began in the basement, but the structure was torn down that day.

• View the original story, photos and videos here.