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Resident Injured in St. Paul Apartment Fire
June 30 – One person suffered smoke inhalation after an apartment fire early Thursday in St. Paul.
Firefighters were called to the 300 block of Dewey Street N. around 2:15 a.m. and Engine 14 arrived to find heavy smoke on the first floor of the three-story apartment building.
A pre-connect was stretched and the fire was quickly contained to the apartment where the fire broke out.
Additional crews checked the upper floors for fire extension. None was found.
Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard said the fire broke out when a resident fell asleep while cooking.
“The fire was confined to the stove top and the cabinet,” he said.
The occupant was transported to the hospital by Medic 22 for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Updated: Woodbury Apartment Fire Leaves 5 Injured
This story was updated on Tuesday morning.
June 19 – Five people were injured in a mid-morning fire in Woodbury on Sunday.
Woodbury Public Safety crews were called to a kitchen fire at 6841 Ashwood Rd., in the Woodland Pointe Apartments.
Public Safety Officer/Firefighter 667 arrived to find heavy smoke from the top floor of the three-story building. Officer 667 and Officer/Medic 639 began evacuating residents. While enroute, Chief 2201 called for mutual aid from Maplewood and Oakdale.
The building, of wood-frame construction, features 12 apartments, with four on each floor. The building consists of three addresses, 6841, 6825 and 6809 Ashwood, and measures 50 by 300 feet. The fire unit has a common wall with a unit in the 6825 building.
Engine 2246 arrived and set up positive pressure operations and stretched a 1 3/4-inch attack line with Class A Foam, according to Emergency Services Commander Mike Richardson. The crews made sure that all units were empty and then began fire attack on the third floor.
Chief 2201 assumed command on his arrival. Engine 2255 laid a supply line from the hydrants to 2246 as police officers evacuated the 6825 and 6809 buildings.
Richardson said the fire was contained to the unit of origin and the crews flowed less than 750 gallons of water/foam to knock down the fire. Crews opened the walls adjacent to the kitchen to check for extension.
Ladder 2265 was positioned on the A-side of the building with Engine 2265. Ladder 2276 and Engine 2245 were positioned on the C-side of the building.
The resident was cooking when a grease fire broke out. In an attempt to extinguish it, she threw salt on the fire. “When that didn’t work she went to water,” said Richardson.
He said there was a flashover in the kitchen and living room.
Richardson said that one firefighter was examined for heat and smoke injuries and was treated at the scene. Four residents were examined for smoke inhalation and three were transported by Oakdale crews to Woodwinds Hospital for further treatment.
- Assignment: Woodbury Engines 2246, 2255, 2265, 2275, Ladders 2266 and L2276, Utilities 2258 and 2277 Ambulances 2249 and 2269. Mutual Aid: Oakdale Ladder 7285 and Medic 7295 and Maplewood Ladder 1, Medic 2 and Battalion 2.
St. Louis Park Fire Reaches 5 Alarms, Firefighter Injured
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
The story as updated Wednesday morning
June 7 – More than a dozen fire departments were called to condominium complex fire in St. Louis Park on Tuesday, just as temperatures broke historic records.
The fire was reported at 4625 Minnetonka Blvd. around 3:30 p.m. and it brought auto aid from Edina and Richfield.
Firefighters found flames showing from the second floor of the three-story Nachez Place condominium complex. The fire extended from the second floor to the top floor before crews contained the fire.
St. Louis Park Spokesman Jamie Zwilling said that two units received extensive damage. One-third of the building had smoke damage.
The fire was under control in 30 minutes.
The fire quickly escalated to five alarms, bring about 15 departments and more than 75 firefighters.
“It reached five alarms because of the excess heat,” said Zwilling. About the time of the fire, the mercury hit reached 102 degrees.
A Golden Valley firefighter was transported to the hospital suffering from heat-related injuries, according to Zwilling.
Hennepin EMS Spokesman Christopher Kummer said they dispatched three ambulances and three supervisors to assist evaluate residents and monitor firefighters.
The following departments responded: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, MAC Fire, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Robbindale and Wayzata.
Residents Rescued by Ladder in Eagan Apartment Fire
Twin Cities Fire Wire
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
Josh Grubb Photo
June 6 – Firefighters rescued several residents from their decks as fire damaged a large apartment building in Eagan on Monday evening.
Units were called to the LeMay Lake Apartments at 3025 Eagandale Ave. at 6:16 p.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire showing from the main entrance to the three-story, 106 unit building. The fire was extending into the third floor commons.
According to scanner traffic, firefighters used a deck gun to knock down the heavy fire conditions.
Firefighters rescued several residents, whose escape route was blocked by flames, by ladder from their balconies.
“Crews did a good job with a quick attack preventing the fire from reaching the attic area,” said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott.
Two firefighters were treated at the scene of heat exhaustion by HealthEast crews.
“With the extreme warm temperatures, I called for additional assistance,” said Scott. Mutual aid was received from Apple Valley, Mendota Heights and Rosemount.
Firefighters were on the scene after midnight, checking for hot spots.
The occupants were not allowed to return to the building because of the smoke damage.
Scott said the fire started near the main entrance, but the exact cause has not been pinpointed.
Updated: St. Paul Apartment Fire Leaves One Dead
Twin Cities Fire Wire
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Updated Sunday morning: Officials say the resident, a 34-year-old male, died from his injuries. The fire is classified as intentional and investigators are still digging into the details of the fire.
June 4- St. Paul firefighters rescued a man who is in serious condition after an apartment fire early Saturday morning.
Crews were called to 1533 Woodbridge St., the Woodbridge Terrace Apartments, at 12:15 a.m.
Engine 22 arrived to find smoke showing from the lower level of the three-story building that contains 24 units. They stretched a pre-connect to the fire apartment.
Ladder 22 began ventilation as residents rushed from the building. Engine 17 provided a backup attack line.
“The firefighters got into the apartment and quickly knocked down the fire,” according to St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard.
As crews were performing the primary searches, “they found the man, believed to be about 30, on the bed.” Firefighters removed him from the building and begin rendering medical assistance.
He was transported by Medic 8 to Regions Hospital. Zaccard said he was in serious condition, suffering from burns and smoke.
The fire was contained to the room of origin, but the entire apartment sustained smoke and heat damage. Residents were allowed back in the building within an hour.
Investigators are still at the scene trying to determine the cause.
Assignment: Engines 22, 17, 18, Ladder 22, Squad 1, Chief 2. RIT Assignment: Engine 8, Ladder 18, Medic 8, Medic 4, Squad 2, Chief 1. Special Called: Squad 3.
‘Suspicious’ Fire Contained by Sprinkler in St. Paul
St. Paul Fire Dept. Photo
St. Paul Fire Dept. Photo
May 16 – For the second time in a week, a single fire sprinkler doused a fire in a high occupancy building in downtown St. Paul.
Just after 1 a.m., fire crews were dispatched for alarm sounds at Mears Park Place Apartment at 401 Sibley St.
As units went enroute, they were updated that there was smoke on the sixth floor. The eight-story apartment building has 281 units.
Crews ascended to the upper floors and found a heavy smoke condition. They located an upholstered chair that had been burning in the sixth floor lobby.
“One fire sprinkler head had activated and put the fire out,” St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard said.
Crews ventilated the lingering smoke before returning to service.
Zaccard said that the fire caused $10,000 in damage, mainly to the area where the chair was burning in the hallway. No injuries were reported.
The cause is under investigation, but officials says it appears “suspicious.”
Last week, a sprinkler snuffed a kitchen fire on the 11th floor of 20 Exchange St. E.
Possible Arson Fire at Plymouth Apartment
April 23 – An early-morning fire in a Plymouth apartment building may be arson, officials say.
Firefighters were called to the Place Apartment at 3925 Lancaster Ln. N around 4:15 a.m.
Plymouth Fire Deputy Chief Kip Springer told Sun Newspapers that the fire was started in a second floor stairwell.
Firefighters quickly contained the fire to the area where the first was discovered.
Plymouth police officials told local media that a suspect was seen running from the scene moments before the fire was reported.
Related
Update: Brooklyn Park Fire Caused by Child Playing with Lighter
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Twin Cities Fire Photo
Twin Cites Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
We have an update on yesterday’s apartment fire in Brooklyn Park.
Firefighters were called to the Willow Apartments at 6010 65th Ave. at 5:15 p.m. for a report of an apartment fire.
Brooklyn Park Chief 2, Deputy Chief Todd Seitz, arrived to find fire showing from the top floor on the A-side of the apartment building. The structure was still occupied and a second alarm was called because, “we had
what appeared to be movement from within the unit involved,” Seitz said. He assumed command.
The the two-story building, constructed of wood-frame, has three wings that are separated by fire walls forming a U-shape. The fire was burning in the center wing that measured 430 feet long by 60 feet wide. There are 120 units in that building.
Crews from Brooklyn Park Engines 31 and 32 deployed a 150-foot 2 1/2-inch line with a wye to the second floor. A 200-foot stretch of 1 3/4-inch hose was supplemented with an additional length of hose to make the fire apartment. Brooklyn Park Chief 21 assumed interior command.
“Crews reported thick smoke and heat inside the hallway just passed the fire doors leading to the unit,” Seitz said.
Command was receiving reports of people jumping from second floor windows and Brooklyn Park Aerial 21 was assigned to rescue operations on the D-side.
West Metro Aerial 11 was positioned on the C-side for roof operations. Brooklyn Park Engine 12 was tasked with searching the fire floor.
The fire was contained to the original apartment and the unit below suffered water damaged.
According to Seitz, the fire was caused by a child playing with a lighter. Damage was estimated at $45,000.
The Red Cross was called in to help two families.
- Assignment: First Alarm: Brooklyn Park Engines 12, 31, 32, 41, Brooklyn Park Aerial 21, West Metro Aerial 11, Brooklyn Park Chiefs 1, 2, 21 and West Metro Chief 11. Second Alarm: Brooklyn Center Engine 3 and Chief 2, Maple Grove Engine 11 and Chief 4, Osseo Tanker 11 and Chief 1 and Plymouth Lieutenant 23. Osseo Utility 11 provided air bottles. Plymouth Engine 21 covered Brooklyn Park
Related:
Mutual Aid Called to Brooklyn Park Apartment Fire
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
March 13 – Several residents were displaced after fire damaged a Brooklyn Park apartment building Sunday evening.
Around 5:30 p.m. crews were called to 6010 65th Ave. N. On arrival flames were showing from the second floor of the two-story, U-shaped apartment building.
Deputy Fire Chief Todd Seitz told Twin Cites Fire Wire that the fire was contained to the apartment of origin. The unit below suffered water damaged.
Mutual aid was called from Brooklyn Center, Maple Grove and Osseo.
TwinCitiesFireWire.com will update the story when additional details are available.
Update: Cooking Led to Columbia Heights Fire
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
March 7 – The Columbia Heights apartment fire that Twin Cities Fire Wire reported on last night was caused by cooking.
Columbia Heights crews were called to 907 46 1/2 Ave. about 8 p.m. While they were responding they received updates of heavy smoke in the hallways of the building. Fridley and St. Anthony fire units were dispatched as well.
Engine 1 arrived and reported fire showing from a second floor apartment. The three-story building contains 21 units.
Crews pulled a 2 1/2-inch hoseline with a gated wye. They stretched a 1 3/4-inch hoseline off the wye and entered the fire apartment, where they contained the fire to the area around the stove, according to Lt. Dan O’Brien.
“The cause is a cooking fire, left unattended,” O’Brien said.
The mutual aid crews stood by and were returned shortly after the fire was doused.
The fire was held to the kitchen of the one apartment, but smoke travelled throughout the building and likely damaged all units.
- Assignment: Columbia Heights Engine 1 and Ladder 1. Mutual Aid: Fridley Ladder 2 and St. Anthony Engine 11
Related:
Twin Cities Fire Wire 