ST PAUL, Minn. — A vacant building is being assessed in St. Paul after a car crashed into the structure early Thursday and started it on fire.
St. Paul police say officers were dispatched to the 700 block of 3rd St. E on reports of a crash, and upon arrival found an SUV partially inside a building. The male driver of the Dodge Durango was uninjured, but police noticed the vehicle was starting to catch fire. They attempted to put the flames down with a fire extinguisher but it spread quickly and concerns about the structural integrity of the building forced them to retreat.
Fire units quickly arrived and put the fire down.
The driver of the vehicle was identified by St. Paul police as an off-duty officer, and alcohol is suspected in the crash so the Minnesota State Patrol was asked to handle the investigation to avoid a conflict of interest.
“This incident is deeply concerning and does not reflect or align with the values of our department or the expectations we have of each other or the people we serve," said St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry. "We are cooperating with the Minnesota State Patrol’s investigation and are following our internal policies and procedures.”
At this time it is unclear how badly the building was damaged, or whether charges will be filed in the incident.
