4 people seriously injured in Minneapolis apartment fire

Four people were seriously injured and more than two dozen were displaced by a large fire at a Minneapolis apartment building on Tuesday night.

Firefighters had to use ladders to rescue people from the building on 11th Avenue South, just south of Elliot Park, after the fire engulfed a rear stairwell.

The fire at 1501 11th Ave. S was reported just before 9:45 p.m., and the first fire crews on the scene found heavy smoke coming from the third floor of the four-story building.

“Fire crews found heavy fire in the rear stairwell that extended rapidly throughout the entire stairwell, on all floors. Fire crews used 40-foot ground ladders to rescue several residents that were hanging out of their apartment window in the rear of the building,” the Minneapolis Fire Department reported in a news release.

Authorities called a second and third alarm for additional personnel. After crews evacuated residents, firefighters exited the building and fought the flames from outside because of concerns about a possible roof collapse.

Minneapolis assistant fire chief and spokesperson Melanie Rucker said crews remained on the scene late in the morning Wednesday.

“Because of the fire spreading through the roof and partial roof collapse, there are void spaces where fire is lingering that we are continuing to put water on to extinguish,” Rucker said.

Three of the injured residents — including a teenager — suffered burns; the fourth had smoke inhalation. Fire officials say all four were taken to a hospital in serious but stable condition. Two firefighters were evaluated on-scene for overexertion.

Keysha Keyton, who lives across the street, said she watched the fire spread quickly.

“We heard a big combustion, like something busted, and then I heard people saying, ‘Help, there’s a fire!’” Keyton said.

Xcel Energy shut off power lines near the building for safety. Several buildings next door remained without power Wednesday morning.

The Red Cross was called to assist about 30 residents displaced by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Rucker said investigators will examine the potential of arson.

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