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Coon Rapids Garage Fire Held Before Spreading
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June 26 – Firefighters kept a raging fire from spreading through a 24-unit garage at a Coon Rapids apartment complex on Sunday.
Fire crews were called to 10600 block of Tamarack Street around 7 p.m. While enroute, Anoka County dispatch advised they had multiple calls and a report of one with possible injuries.
Coon Rapids Engine 1 was first to arrive and reported a large garage complex with one unit fully involved. Coon Rapids Captain 12 assumed command and requested a general alarm.
Crews laid a supply line and pulled a pre-connected handline and a 2 1/2-inch handline and quickly knocked down the main body of fire.
The blaze damaged three units. One unit had extensive damage and two neighboring units suffered moderate damage.
- Assignment: Coon Rapids: Engines 1, 2 and 3, Chief 2 Mutual Aid: Anoka-Champlin covered Coon Rapids Station 3
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.
Lakeville Home Damaged by Two-alarm Fire
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Josh Gubb Photo
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Josh Gubb Photo
Josh Gubb Photo
Josh Gubb Photo
Josh Gubb Photo
Josh Gubb Photo
June 16 – A two-alarm fire damaged a Lakeville home on Thursday.
At 2:49 p.m., Lakeville firefighters were called to 17398 Jaguar Ave. and Chief 3 arrived to find heavy smoke and fire showing from a garage attached to a two-story home. A second alarm was called, bringing mutual aid from Apple Valley.
Firefighters from Lakeville Engine 3 entered the home and attacked the flames from the service door. Engine 2’s crews stretched a back up hoseline and conducted primary search duties, according to Fire Chief Michael Meyer.
The crew of Ladder 4 was assigned to open up the ceiling in the master bedroom and stop the fire from spreading to the attic of the home. Secondary searches were performed by Rescue 1 and Ladder 1’s crew used the aerial ladder to ventilate the home by opening the skylight above the master bedroom.
Firefighters cleared the scene by 5:30 and investigators remained on scene to determine the cause of the fire. It caused extensive damage to the garage and the second floor bedroom and smoke damage throughout the home.
- Assignment: Engines 2, 3, 44, Ladders 1 and 4, Rescues 1 and 3, Chiefs 1 and 3, Fire Marshal. Second Alarm: Apple Valley Ladder 1. EMS: Allina ambulance and supervisor.
Updated: Lexington Crews Fight Overnight Fire
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Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
June 13 – Lexington crews were called to a reported dwelling fire in the 8800 block of Lexington Avenue overnight.
While enroute, dispatchers advised police had arrived and reported flames visible on the second floor.
Prior to arrival, Lexington command requested mutual aid from Centennial Fire and Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire(SBM)
Crews deployed handlines and quickly knocked down the fire.
Assignment: Lexington Engine 1, Centennial Engine 11, SBM Engine 4 and Allina EMS.
KSTP-TV reports that 2 occupants were able to escape the fire without injury. Video from KSTP-TV shows early fire conditions.
Twin Cities Fire Wire will update this story when more information is available.
St. Louis Park Fire Reaches 5 Alarms, Firefighter Injured
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Josh Grubb Photo
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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
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Josh Grubb Photo
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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: Memorial Day Weekend Ends with Blaze in Oakdale
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Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
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This story was updated on Tuesday evening.
May 30 – A late night house fire, fueled by gusty winds, caused extensive damage to a Oakdale home on Monday.
Around 11 p.m., firefighters were called to 5489 Golfview Ave. for a reported fire on the deck that was spreading to the home. Additional calls reported the structure was involved.
Oakdale Chief 7201 (Chief Jeff Anderson) went on scene with heavy fire showing from the C-side of the dwelling. The lightweight wood-frame home was 2 1/2 stories in the front and 3 1/2 stories in the rear. The three residents had evacuated.
Command requested mutual aid engines from Maplewood and Woodbury almost immediately.
“When we arrived, the wind was pushing the fire into the eaves and through each of the windows and doors in the rear,” Oakdale Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Wold told Twin Cities Fire Wire.
He said fire was already involving the three levels of the home and it was decided to make a defensive attack.
“With a wind-driven fire involving a lightweight home, it moves pretty fast and you have to be careful about putting crews inside,” Wold said.
Arriving crews deployed several 2 1/2-inch hoselines around the structure to tackle the flames.
Firefighters also positioned 1 3/4-inch hoselines to protect the home on the B-side of the structure, which was less than 10 feet away.
The fire gained possession of the attic space and it was decided to use an elevated master stream to douse the flames as wind gusts in excess of 20 mph were steadily pushing the flames.
The fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes.
Once the bulk of the fire was knocked down, crews entered to home to hit the hot spots.
Once inside, crews reported that the home was structurally sound. “surprisingly, it was mostly content that burned inside and the structural components were in pretty good shape.”
Crews had to perform extensive overhaul as the fire spread throughout much of the home. The intense flames caused the lightweight truss roof to collapse.
Wold said the fire was deemed accidental, but the exact cause of the fire could not be pinpointed.
Crews from Mahtomedi, Maplewood and North St. Paul were at the scene. Units from Lake Elmo and Woodbury covered Oakdale station.
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.
Click here to see video and here to see hundreds of photos.
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.
Large Scale Gas Leak Prompts Evacuations in St. Anthony, Minneapolis
May 10 – A gas main that was struck during maintenance work caused evacuations in St. Anthony and Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters remained on the scene for 14 hours to protect utility works that were involved in the massive repair effort.
St. Anthony firefighters were called to the intersection of Stinson Boulevard. and 30th Avenue NE around 2:30 p.m.
Chief John Malenick said that contractors working for CenterPoint Energy were performing routine maintenance when they punctured a four-inch hole in the 12-inch main. The gas was under pressure at 90 psi and people in the area reported a large hissing sound.
The size of the leak prompted evacuations of a four-block area. Since parts of Minneapolis were going to be evacuated, Minneapolis fire crews were summoned to the scene.
The pressure of the blowing gas, coupled with the large size of the hole reduced the immediate danger to residents on the street, according to Malenick.
Saint Anthony struck an all-call and mutual aid was later called from Columbia Heights, New Brighton and Roseville.
CenterPoint officials determined that shutting down the main would impact too large of an area, including Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights and other surrounding communities. They had to cut the line at two locations and create a new line to bypass the leak.
Firefighters staffed hoselines in the areas where workers were making the repairs. “Our priority was to protect the workers,” Malenick said. “They were in an extremely vulnerable position.”
He also said that gas seeping into the ground of the surrounding neighborhoods was a concern, but it was closely monitored.
Malenick said that close to 20 St. Anthony firefighters stayed on scene until the repair was completed and any dangers were removed. The crews were released around 6 a.m.
The Minneapolis Mobile command unit was called to the scene to assist in organizing the large number of agencies, including police, fire, utilities, public works and other support groups. Hennepin EMS crews were also on the scene of the incident.
“It was a tremendous effort on behalf of all agencies who were called out,” Malenick told Twin Cities Fire Wire.
Inver Grove Heights Fire Injures Resident
May 10 – Firefighters from the south metro battled a late-night house fire in Inver Grove Heights that left one resident with injuries on Tuesday.
Inver Grove Heights (IGH) firefighters were called to a house fire in the 10300 block of Barnes Way at 11:42 p.m. Eagan (EFD) was also dispatched on an auto-aid.
IGH Chief 1 and Eagan Chief 5 arrived to find flames leaping high from the roof of the garage attached to a one-story rambler home. “The flames must have been over 20 feet high when we got there,” Inver Grove Heights Chief Judy Thill told Twin Cities Fire Wire.
The only occupant of the home had evacuated and was being tended to by a HealthEast Ambulance crew.
Arriving together, IGH Engine 11 set up for fire attack and Eagan Engine/Tanker 5 set up for water supply.
Using handlines, Engine 11’s crews began a defensive attack on the garage. Once the heavy volume of fire was knocked down, Thill said crews moved inside the home to cut off the fire extension.
The home is located in an area with no hydrants.
Firefighters set up two drop tanks and EFD Engine 5 started to siphon water from the tanks. IGH Tankers 14 and 36 arrived and dumped their tanks before proceeding to the fill site at city hall, almost three miles away.
Mutual aid was called from Mendota Heights and Rosemount for additional tankers.
Inside the home, crews pulled ceilings to access the fire. “The crews did a great job of getting to the fire inside the attic and stopped it about half-way through the home.”
Thill said the home was suffered heavy smoke and water damage and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The last crews left the scene just after 2:30 a.m.
A crew from South Metro Fire was called first respond on a medical call during the fire.
Click here for aftermath photos from Inver Grove Heights Patch.
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