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Arson Fire Damages South Minneapolis Building
June 5 – An early-morning fire in South Minneapolis on Sunday is arson, officials say.
Fire crews were called to 2121 Chicago. Ave. at 5: 11 a.m.
They found a shed burning in the rear of the building, Assistant Chief Cherie Penn said.
The flames spread to a porch and the rear stairwell of the adjacent two-story building. The vacant building housed commercial space on the first floor and residential areas on the second floor.
Penn said a second alarm was called for additional resources and to help keep the fire from spreading.
The fire was deemed arson and Minneapolis police are continuing he investigation.
Minneapolis Fire Crews Tame Arson Fire Before it Spreads
MNDOT Traffic Camera Photo
MNDOT Traffic Camera Photo
May 17 –Officials say that a two-alarm fire in North Minneapolis on Tuesday is arson.
Fire crews were called to 2314 Dupont Ave. N. just after 5 p.m. and crews found heavy fire and smoke showing from the rear of the two-story duplex.
According to the Extra Alarm Association Facebook page, Engine 4 laid an attack line Engine 14 deployed a backup line after securing a water supply.
Fire was on the first and second floors and involving the attic.
Ladder 4’s crew positioned the aerial ladder to the roof of the structure and Ladder 10 conducted primary searches.
Engine 2 laid a supply line to Ladder 4, the Extra Alarm Association reported. Shortly after, they went into a defensive attack as flames were shooting from the roof.
“Due to the close proximity to other structures, a second alarm was called to get additional resources on scene,” Assistant Chief Cherie Penn said. Engines 16 and 11, with Rescue 9 were dispatched.
As crews battled the fire from the outside, Engine 16 laid a supply line to the scene.
After the bulk of the fire was knocked down, crews reentered the structure to pull ceilings and walls to find the hot spots.
Penn said “there was more than one point of origin,” and the Minneapolis police are further investigating the fire. and as such a point of origin has not been determined.
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
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.
Arson Fires Keep Minneapolis Crews Busy
April 10 – Fire crews were called to a number outside fires around South Minneapolis on Sunday evening.
Assistant Fire Chief Cheri Penn said the first fire was reported at 8:47 p.m.
“While crews were extinguishing one fire another fire was reported,” Penn said. Over the course of three hours, nine seperate fires were extinguished.
Penn said that they are arson and investigators are seeking for more information about the incidents.
Officials: North Minneapolis Fire was Arson
Fire officials announced that last week’s two-alarm fire in North Minneapolis was arson.
Minneapolis crews were called to the home, at 2031 Queen Ave. North about 10 p.m. on Feb. 2. They found fire showing when they arrived at the 1 1/2-story home.
The second alarm was called and firefighters battled the intense flames and protected the exposures.
Assistant Fire Chief Cherie Penn said that the Minneapolis Arson Unit declared the fire to be arson and the unit has blanketed the neighborhood seeking additional
information.
Minneapolis Water Works offcials determined that the closest hydrant, at Queen Avenue and 21st Avenue, was frozen.
The Extra Alarm Association Facebook page, which gave several updates based on radio traffic, Engine 20 laid a supply line from Golden Valley Road and Engine 11 worked off a Penn Avenue hydrant.
Related:
Minneapolis Arson Victims Nominated for Holiday Gifts Program
Two young girls who were seriously burned in an arson fire this spring, and their family, were nominated for the “Holiday Wishes” program sponsored by United Way and the Pioneer Press.
Amarea Kelly, 9, and her six-year-old sister Antonia were injured when a two-alarm fire
ripped through their Minneapolis duplex on March 26, 2010.
Minneapolis Arson Squad member Sean McKenna told the Pioneer Press “the fire
originated on an exterior patio” of the duplex at 2212 Elliot Ave. South
in Minneapolis “The fire spread into the first floor of the home after
consuming a nearby door.”
“The children were sleeping in a rear, first-floor bedroom. …. (one of the occupants
of the duplex) said he awakened and was smelling smoke. … It appears that in all the confusion, the children
… proceeded into the heaviest volume of fire to … exit.”
Their grandfather, Wellington Rollewent, went back into the building to rescue the girls.
Amarea and Antonia were hospitalized for a while as they were treated for second degree burns.
Their grandmother was also hospitalized and four others were treated and released.
The program is a fundraiser for families in need of assistance around the Twin Cities.
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