Minnesota firefighters battled two unrelated fires on the street, just blocks apart only hours apart late Wednesday and early Thursday morning. A family escaped the second fire, which was reported in the early-morning hours.
About 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, South Metro firefighters were dispatched to the 400 block of East Haskell Street for a house fire. The fire, which started in the chimney construction around the chimney. Crews from Engines 1 and 2, Ladder 1 and Ambulance 2 responded and had the fire under control after opening several walls and ceilings to knock down the fire. .
Three hours later, South Metro firefighters were again called to 200 block Haskell Street for a dwelling fire. Engines 1 and 2, Ladder 1 and Ambulance 2 were dispatched to a corner house for a reported porch fire. Subsequent calls reported the fire was spreading into the house and to nearby tress and electrical wires.
Engine 1 went on scene with a fully involved front porch and exterior walls. Crews deployed a 2 1/2-inch hoseline to knock down the heavy fire conditions.
On arrival of Chief 2, Assistant Chief Mark Erickson, he called for a second alarm, bringing Engines 12 and 22. HealthEast Paramedics were called to standby.
The fire had spread into the front living area and attic of the one-story house. Once the exterior fire was knocked down, they moved to the interior of the structure using 1 3/4-inch hoseline lines to knock down the remaining fire.
The fire was declared under control in about 20 minutes. According to Erickson, 22 firefighters responded to the fire, which remains under investigation.
"The residents had already evacuated, though we did assist with letting two dogs out of the house and later rescued two cats," Erickson said. Paramedics from HealthEast tended to the two cats, providing them with oxygen.
