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Nov. 30--A man was pulled from a burning home early Wednesday in north Minneapolis and later died, authorities said.
The home in the 1400 block of Barnes Place, apparently abandoned, was reported on fire at about 12:30 a.m., according to the Fire Department.
The man was found unconscious on the first floor and was pronounced dead at the Hennepin County Medical Center, said Assistant Fire Chief Cherie Penn.
While the victim's identity was not released and his association with the home yet to be explained, Penn said that her department wants citizens to "contact law enforcement if they see any evidence of trespassing at vacant properties in their neighborhoods."
Two firefighters also were hurt when they fell through a first-floor hole into the basement, Penn said. The injuries are considered minor.
The flames were out by about 1:30 a.m. There is no word yet on how the fire started.
Apartment fire
A few hours later, firefighters were on the scene of another blaze in Minneapolis, this one on the top floor of a three-story apartment building on 33rd Avenue S. near the Crosstown highway, Penn said.
Before an evacuation was ordered, a man fled the flames through a third-floor window and was hospitalized, according to the assistant fire chief.
A firefighter also was slightly hurt, Penn said.
While the fire's cause has yet to be determined, Penn suggested that cooking was somehow involved.
"Cooking fires are the leading cause of accidental structure fires in the U.S.," she said. "As a reminder, the Minneapolis Fire Department always stresses that residents make sure there are working smoke detectors in your home ... and to 'look while you cook.' "
Paul Walsh --612-673-4482
