Minneapolis fire crews respond to fire at boarded up apartment building

MINNEAPOLIS — A person was injured after jumping out of a second-story window to escape a fire at a boarded-up building Saturday morning in Minneapolis.

According to the Minneapolis Fire Department, several people were inside the building at the time of the fire and, at one point, one of them jumped from an upper floor window. Authorities say the person was medically evaluated by HCMC paramedics and is in “stable” condition.

Deputy Chief Rita Juran said crews were working to determine if anyone else was inside.

“We have unconfirmed reports that there may have been other people in the building. We cannot confirm this at this time. We called the State Fire Marshal to the scene to assist us in investigation,” Juran said.

“I’m just shocked,” Michelle Davis said. Davis lives next to the building where the fire occurred.

“I looked out the window and saw fire coming from the first, second and third floors,” Davis said. “I just hope there wasn’t anyone else in there… It’s known… homeless people… come to sleep at night to protect themselves from the cold.”

Officials said they were called to a condemned apartment near the Leaning Pizza Tower just before 6:15 a.m. for reports of smoke coming from the building. Crews evacuated the building before the fire spread to all four floors, causing the roof and exterior walls of the alleys to partially collapse.

Minneapolis firefighters said no other buildings were damaged.

According to the City of Minneapolis website, the property is owned by C David George. The city’s website lists 121 violations involving the property dating back to June 7, 2000.

KARE 11 staff emailed C David George and called the phone number listed on a sign on the vacant building and got no answer.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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