MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD) evacuated residents after a four-alarm fire sparked on the city's south side late Wednesday night.
Fire officials said In a press release that crews responded around 11:30 p.m. to reports of a garage with 5-7 cars on fire on the 5600 block of Lyndale Ave. S. The fire quickly jumped to a motel and a three-story apartment complex nearby and more crews and equipment were called to help, eventually reaching 4-alarm status.
Firefighters took an aggressive stance in trying to save the motel, cutting holes in the roof in an attempt to keep the flames from spreading, but were eventually forced to retreat and take a defensive stance.
The garage and cars burned entirely to the ground, and the roof collapsed in the apartment building. The motel - which recently was turned into affordable housing for people overcoming homelessness - suffered a partial roof collapse.
One resident told KARE 11 Sunrise reporter Audrey Russo that he heard a series of pops, and then saw the motel was on fire. He says he ran door to door warning residents so they could escape, along with their pets.
The Red Cross was called to help a reported 50 displaced tenants find a place to stay. Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries and a resident was evaluated for a respiratory issue.
Fire crews used an aerial ladder water tower to dump large amounts of water on the apartment building in an effort to knock down the flames. Engines left the scene later Thursday morning but were forced to return around 8:30 a.m. after flames rekindled.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is available.