A kitchen fire broke out at Midtowne Manor, located at 2011 W Second Street, drawing a prompt response from the Duluth Fire Department at 5:23 pm last night. According to a public information release, multiple crews, including those from Lincoln Park, Headquarters, Spirit Valley, and UMD, converged on the scene to tackle the blaze.
The fire was substantially subdued by the building's sprinkler system, contributing to 75% containment before the intervention of the firefighters, who completed the extinguishment. Residents within the unit where the fire was initiated were able to self-evacuate, with two individuals exiting the premises unharmed. While the fire was contained to its origin, adjacent units have incurred water damage as a result of firefighting efforts.
The current predicament has left several residents without a place to call home, the exact number of which remains undetermined at this juncture. The Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is actively engaged in relocating affected individuals to alternative housing options. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained in the incident, underscoring the lifesaving utility of fire sprinkler systems which facilitated a safe evacuation and curtailed the spread of fire to other apartments.
Financial assessments are underway, with fire-related damages to the building projected at around $10,000. Water damage assessments, however, are still pending. The cause of the fire appears to be non-suspicious at this time but remains under scrutiny by the Duluth Fire Marshal’s office, who continue their investigation into the incident.
