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Massive Blaze Destroys Lakefront Home in West Metro
May 27 – More than a dozen fire departments were called to a raging fire that consumed a Shorewood home on Friday afternoon. The fire occurred in an area with no hydrants.
Firefighters were called to 3944 Enchanted Dr., on Enchanted Island, around 2 p.m.
“On arrival, part of the house was gone and about 50 percent of the home was fully engulfed,” Mound Fire Chief Greg Pederson told Lake Minnetonka Patch.
According to realtor.com, the two-story home featured 3,800 square feet of living space and a four-car garage. The home was valued at around $1.7 million. A Google Map view shows the home at the end of a
two-lane road on an island surrounded by Phelps Bay.
As crews responded, it was reported that three occupants were home.
Just as crews prepared to enter the home, it they got word that the home was unoccupied. “That’s not only a relief for the people inside, but also for the firefighters,” Pederson told KSTP-TV. “We had a crew going in the front door trying to make a rescue.”
According to various media reports, firefighters used water from Phelps Bay and tanker shuttles to bring the fire under control.
Local media is also reporting that the fire may have been sparked by a natural gas explosion. Fire and utilities officials are investigating.
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Following is a list of departments that responded, according to various sources. There maybe more and we apologize if we missed them: Chaska, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Long Lake, Loretto, Maple Plain, Minnetrista, Mound, St. Bonifacius, Victoria, Watertown and Wayzata.
No Injuries Reported in Excelsior School Bus Fire
An unoccupied school bus caught fire in a Excelsior parking lot on Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
The fire was discovered on a First Student bus, used to transport Minnetonka Public Schools students, at 7:15 a.m.
The bus was parked in a gas station lot at Highway 7 and Old Market Road and no students were on board, according to a Minnetonka Public Schools press release.
The Excelsior Fire District was called and extinguished the fire.
Plymouth Fire Consumes 2 Dozen Apartments
Dozens of residents were displaced after a fire-alarm fire ripped through a Plymouth apartment complex on Monday evening. Two residents and one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Reported about 4:50 p.m., the fire consumed 24 apartments of the Plymouth Oaks Apartments at 3301 Highway 169. About 50 firefighters from 10 departments responded to bring the fire under control.
Plymouth Deputy Fire Chief Kip Springer told local media that it appears that the fire started on the third floor of the three-story building and that all residents escaped safely.
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Crews rescued several pets from the building.
The fire quickly spread through the top floor of the building and consumed the attic.
At least one aerial ladder was flowing a master stream and several hoselines surrounding the building poured water on to the flames.
“As late as 9 p.m., firefighters on extended ladders continued to pour water into hot spots on the blackened skeletal roof line in the middle section of the southwest wing of the L-shaped building, where the fire was concentrated,” the Star Tribune reported.
Deputy Chief Kip told the Star Tribune that investigators will be on the scene of an extended period of time. The paper also reports that complex staff has assisted the residents find shelter this evening.
Mutual aid was received from Brooklyn Park, Excelsior, Hamel, Minnetonka, Rogers, Wayzata and West Metro, according to local media.
KSTP-TV reports that a fire in July 2007 caused $4 million in damage to one building in the complex. Another fire, in February 2008, left 30 units damaged.
Related:
Twin Cities Fire Wire 