St. Paul firefighters battled an early-morning fire in an apartment building that left 15 people homeless on Sunday, Jan. 17.
Units were dispatched just after 3 a.m. to a two-story apartment building in the 100 block of Como Avenue in the city’s Frogtown neighborhood. The assignment consisted of Engines 18, 8, 22, Ladder 18, Squad 3 and District Chief 2.
The first crews on scene encountered smoke from the brick structure. A working fire was declared and that brought Ladder 8, Engine 7 as the rapid intervention company and Medic 4.
Several handlines were placed in service to contain the fire by firefighters. The fire conditions were knocked by crews, but they encountered heavy heat through the structure. As Ladder 8’s crews ascended to the roof for ventilation, they encountered heavy fire.
Based on the fast-moving fire conditions, District Chief 2 pulled all personnel from the structure. A second alarm was sounded and it brought Engine 5, Ladder 22, Squad 1. Medic 17 and District Chief 3, along with several staff chiefs.
Firefighters placed a handline between the fire building and exposure on side Delta. Additional handlines were pouring water into the structure.
The master stream from Ladder 18’s aerial was set up on the Alpha/Delta corner. Ladder 8’s aerial tower was set up on the Charlie/Delta corner. Ladder 22’s aerial ladder was set up on the Bravo side. As the master streams were placed into service, crews were hampered by low water pressure in the area.
New water supplies were quickly established and crews poured water into the structure as the flames engulfed the interior the building.
The fire was brought under control just after 5 a.m. Units remained on scene to douse hot spots for several hours.
According to St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard, the fire started in a vacant first-floor apartment. The fire caused $425,000 damage.
