Photos: Overnight Blaze Destroys Three Minneapolis Commercial Buildings

An early morning fire ripped through several buildings in Northeast Minneapolis Sunday morning, requiring multiple aerial ladders to flow water on the blaze.

Firefighters were dispatched to 1503-1505 Central Avenue Northeast at 4:13 a.m. and found heavy fire in a three-story abandoned building with the fire spreading adjacent buildings that were in close proximity.

"Fire crews had a challenge gaining access to area of the commercial structure due to a large pile of discarded vehicle tires and debris blocking the access road, several locked gated parking lot areas, trees and brush, and BNSF railway bridge," Minneapolis Fire Department spokesperson Melanie Rucker said.

In rapid succession, both second and third alarms were sounded, bringing nearly 50 firefighters from across the city to the scene.

Crews were able to find access to the fire buildings from parking lots on surrounding streets but establishing water supplies required long hose lays, Rucker said.

A total of four aerial ladders flowed water, coupled with several ground monitors to darken down the main bodies of fire.

"Fire crews were able to pull off boards and search some of the surrounding vacant commercial buildings that were safe to enter for possible people and they were all clear," said Rucker. "Some of the buildings were not fully secured. Not every building was able to be searched due to fire and collapse danger."

The BNSF Railroad Company was able to move railcars that fire threatened on railroad tracks that ran adjacent to the fire on one side the buildings. 

Rucker said several buildings collapsed during the firefight.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.