Early Wednesday chaos erupted in south Minneapolis after a fire ignited from a pile of debris, quickly spreading its havoc to two nearby homes, where two firefighters were injured, and several businesses were affected. The blaze was first reported at around 5:45 a.m. on the 1800 block of Sixth Street South, CBS News Minnesota reports. The fire department's brave response was met with adversity as the fire had already climbed to the attic of a two-and-a-half-story building.
The firefighters also had to contend with the adjacent house, which started billowing smoke and housed a daycare. In a harrowing turn, when firefighters opened an internal wall, an explosion from built-up smoke and gas knocked two firefighters off their feet. Despite their injuries, they managed to escape and were subsequently taken to the hospital, Bring Me The News detailed. Both emergency responders have been reported in stable condition thereafter. No other physical harm came to pass on those present at the scene.
As a result of the conflagration, the impacted homes have been rendered uninhabitable. The Red Cross stepped in to aid those who had been displaced from the residence operating a daycare. The original home, which also accommodated several businesses, is where the fire notably started, presenting crippling damage to local entrepreneurs.
Ayub Genemo, who ran a tax business out of the initially affected home, expressed his distress amid tax season. "I am very sad and upset, and as tax season is just starting this week," he told CBS News Minnesota, "I feel so bad, I feel so sorry for my clients." It remains unclear what ignited the destructive blaze, and fire officials continue to explore the cause. Teams were still on-site as of 10:25 a.m., laboring to vanquish the flames that insistently lodged themselves between buildings.
