At about 10 AM, Monday, April 26, St. Louis Park fire stations 1 and 2 were dispatched for a "fire on a roof."
Reported by an occupancy across from 6111 Excelsior Blvd., 'Park L-1 and Engine-2 responded from their respective stations. Ladder-1 arrived in about two minutes and confirmed a working attic fire in an antique shop packed full of merchandise in its two stories. Setting up in front on the "A/B" corner Ladder-1 raised its stick and ground ladders to the front. In the meantime, Engine-2 grabbed a water supply from the southwest corner of Excelsior and Brunswick Avenues.
Edina Engine 81 was already in route on the initial automatic aid dispatch. 'Park Chiefs 1 and 4 responded with the size-up and a general alarm for off-duty and paid-call personnel was summond. 'Park Engines 1,4, Rescues-1 and 2 responded. Chief-1(Luke Stemmer) arrived and assumed command, Chief-4 (Bruce Johnson) assumed accountability.
Additional third-alarm companies on scene were Richfield Engine-82 (RIT), Minnetonka Engine-1, Golden Valley Aerial-11 and Hopkins Engine-2. Plymouth Engine-21 stood by the empty north 'Park Station 2.
After determining no one was inside, Edina and 'Park crews laddered the front and enlarged a vent hole in the "B" side second-story roof line to attack the fire. Fire was venting from the "A" side eves and heavy smoke issued from the vents on the "B and D" sides. Golden Valley's aerial was sent to the "D" side to set up in the parking lot for possible exterior attack.
Hopkins Engine-2 with its 50' squirt was directed to the center of the "A" side and attacked the exterior of the fire as it breached the roof just above the burning eves. After about 10 minutes, the acrid brown smoke and visible fire subsided.
Crews entered the building through the front and "B" side with hand lines and extinguished the remaining fire.
Fire damage was held to the second-floor and contents, while heavy smoke and water damaged the first-floor and basement. The Salvation Army Canteen provided food and refreshments to the firefighters.
Mutual aid companies cleared the scene by 12:45 PM and the last 'Park companies by 3:30 PM. Cause and damage amounts are not yet available.
