Buildings in northeast Minneapolis partially collapse in Sunday morning fire

A significant fire erupted in northeast Minneapolis early Sunday morning, engulfing four buildings on Central Avenue NE. The Minneapolis Fire Department first reported the blaze at approximately 4:30 a. m. , indicating that several structures had partially collapsed due to the flames. Fire crews faced challenges in getting close enough to the buildings to deploy aerial water towers, prompting them to request Xcel Energy to shut off power in the vicinity.

Fortunately, the fire's location near BNSF Railway tracks involved only empty rail cars, reducing potential hazards. This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding fire safety protocols in commercial areas. Local authorities are likely to review fire response strategies following this incident. Firefighters are expected to remain on the scene for an extended period to ensure complete extinguishment and assess structural safety.