Minneapolis fire crews spent several hours battling a fire late Wednesday into early Thursday morning in south Minneapolis that sent one resident and two firefighters to the hospital.
Fire crews were called to the 5600 block of Lyndale Avenue South at 11:24 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a garage with about 5-7 cars inside on fire. The garage, according to Minneapolis Fire, was between a three-story residential building at 5617, 5619, and 5621 Lyndale Avenue South and a short term residential motel at 5637 Lyndale Ave. S.
The fire quickly spread to the three-story building and residential hotel prompting a second alarm for extra personnel and equipment. A third and fourth alarm was later called due to the fire spreading throughout the three structures. The garage and cars burned "completely to the ground" according to Assistant Chief of Administration Melanie Rucker.
Meanwhile, there was a roof collapse on the three-story residential apartment and partial roof collapse on the motel.
One resident was taken to HCMC for a respiratory condition while two firefighters were taken to the hospital for shoulder and knee injuries.
"That is a lot of loss in a short period of time," said Fire Chief Bryan Tyner. "Structures can be rebuilt. We're just happy we haven't had any fire fatalities to this point and that all the residents have been able to get out."
At least 50 residents were displaced by the blaze.
Crews remained on the scene as of about 4:30 a.m. Thursday. The cause of the fire is under investigation.