A major fire along East Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis sent two firefighters to the hospital Sunday, October 11, after intense flames and difficult conditions inside a commercial building complicated rescue efforts.
Fire crews were called to a business near East Franklin Avenue and South 13th Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker said firefighters encountered heavy flames and rows of shelving and other items that made it difficult to move through the building. As conditions worsened and escape routes became obstructed, two firefighters suffered burns.
Both firefighters managed to get out of the building on their own. They were taken to a hospital with minor burns and exhaustion and were reported to be in stable condition.
Three-Alarm Fire Causes Roof Collapses
The emergency response grew into a three-alarm fire, bringing approximately 50 to 60 firefighters to the scene. Crews rotated in and out as they worked to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
The fire caused significant structural damage. Part of the roof at the building numbered 1300 on East Franklin Avenue collapsed, while large air-conditioning units fell through the roof. Firefighters who were on the roof when one of the units fell were able to move away from the collapse.
The incident also prompted a mayday call, an emergency signal used when firefighters face immediate danger and need urgent assistance.
Fire crews faced additional challenges because the commercial properties share connected spaces. Although older brick buildings may have fire barriers, a shared basement or adjoining areas can allow flames, smoke and water to affect neighboring properties.
Officials were particularly concerned about the possibility of damage extending beyond the building where the fire began.
Native American Community Office Faces Potential Losses
The blaze also raised concerns about a neighboring building used by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s urban office.
LaSasha McGinnis, who works in the adjoining building, described the importance of the materials housed there. The collection includes decades of Dakota and Ojibwe educational curriculum, along with other resources that may be difficult or impossible to replace.
Smoke and water damage posed a serious concern for the materials and the organizations that rely on the building. Even areas not directly touched by flames can suffer damage during firefighting operations, particularly when large volumes of water are needed to control a blaze.
For the Native American community, the potential impact goes beyond damage to a physical building. Educational resources, cultural materials and records can preserve language, knowledge and traditions across generations.
The extent of the damage to those materials was not immediately clear.
Firefighters Work to Protect Nearby Businesses
As the fire continued, crews focused on containing the blaze and limiting damage to surrounding properties. The connected structures and shared spaces made that task more complicated, with officials concerned about fire spreading and smoke and water affecting adjacent buildings.
The two injured firefighters were reported to be in stable condition, and both had been able to leave the building without being carried out by other crews.
The cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage had not been confirmed in the initial reports. The incident remained a significant concern for nearby businesses and the community organizations housed in the adjoining property.
