MINNEAPOLIS — A four-alarm fire early that forced all guests to be evacuated from the Drake Hotel in downtown Minneapolis morning Wednesday was finally extinguished Thursday.
The city of Minneapolis confirms it is "using its emergency authority to order a partial demolition of the building, as the eastern half of the building is too dangerous to leave standing."
Minneapolis Fire Department crews responded to the fire at 3 a.m Christmas day.
The three-story building is located at 416 10th Street South.
The building is an overflow shelter for the homeless.
The fire was upgraded to a four-alarm fire due to the amount of fire and manpower needed to search the structure and help with evacuations.
"Everything is gone," said Natalie Olson who lives at the Drake Hotel.
Crews were able to extinguish the bulk of the fire in four units of the second floor, but the fire spread to the attic area, and eventually through the roof, according MFD.
Crews were forced to evacuate the building themselves and fight the fire from the outside.
Three people were transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center with unspecified injuries.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"I'm calling on our whole city. I'm calling on our state to help those out who were in this building," said Mayor Jacob Frey.
Anyone who wants to support those impacted by the fire can send donations to Minnesota Red Cross - who is actively on scene responding to the fire. The Mayor has also worked with the Minneapolis Foundation to set up a Drake Hotel resident-specific fund for donations. To donate, text DRAKEFIRE to 243-725 and choose an amount. Donations can also be accepted here.