A fast-moving fire ripped through a south Minneapolis home Saturday, leaving a man in his sixties dead despite desperate efforts by neighbors to get him help. Fire crews rushed to the 2000 block of 28th Avenue South, fought back heavy flames, and pushed inside for a search. The man was discovered on the second floor and later pronounced dead.
According to KARE 11, bystanders alerted arriving firefighters that someone might still be trapped inside the burning home. Crews knocked down the fire, searched the structure, and eventually located the victim. Officials have not yet released his name.
“This afternoon’s tragic loss of life weighs heavily on all of us, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” Assistant Chief Wes Van Vickle said in a statement, as reported by KARE 11. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Investigation and neighborhood response
The Minneapolis Fire Department said the victim was found alone on the second floor and that no one else was inside the house. Investigators are working to determine what sparked the blaze. The department also credited nearby residents who quickly flagged down firefighters, helping prompt a rapid search of the home.
Safety steps residents can take
Fire officials continue to emphasize that basic precautions save lives, especially in older homes and when heaters and other devices are working overtime in colder months. The American Red Cross urges residents to test smoke alarms every month, swap out batteries at least once a year, and practice a home fire escape plan that gets everyone outside in two minutes or less.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Minneapolis Fire Department. Authorities have not released additional details, and the investigation is ongoing.
