Officials: Cause and origin "undetermined" in vacant Kmart fire in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis city officials say the investigation of the old Kmart fire on Lake Street last week is now complete.
According to a city spokesperson, the final cause and origin of Friday's fire are undetermined. Though an initial search found no victims, crews searched the collapsed area of the building again on Monday — enlisting the help of a cadaver dog and infrared technology — and confirmed that there were no victims inside.
Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker with the Minneapolis Fire Department says crews arrived just after 5 a.m. to find fire and smoke pouring out of the rear of the building, with flames already breaching the roof. Three aerial water towers were brought to the scene to help douse the flames and stop the fire's spread inside the building.
The city's plans to demolish the structure are now moving forward.
"The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development, working with MFD, Public Works, and Finance and Property Services departments, is in the process of determining the demolition and clearance plans for the remaining structure," the city said in a release. "These plans will become clearer in the coming days, including the start date of that work."
In the next city council cycle, officials will start seeking approval of the demolition contract, which has already been bid out. Afterwards, the demolition can officially begin, starting with abatement and disposal of hazardous materials.
The Kmart closed in 2020, and the building temporarily housed the Lake Street Post Office after it was destroyed in the uprising following the murder of George Floyd.
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After the post office relocated, the building attracted squatters, and its parking lot and areas nearby had been the sites of homeless encampments. Rucker says MFD sees no connection between the fire and the encampments, which were cleared out by police two days ago.
Minneapolis bought the land in March 2020, and city leaders and community members have been debating its future ever since.
As part of the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project, the city is currently gathering feedback from the community on new roadway and public space design concepts.