2 firefighters suffer minor injuries after debris fire spreads to home in south Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — A fire in south Minneapolis Wednesday morning that began in a pile of debris spread to two adjacent homes, injuring two firefighters and leaving both residences uninhabitable.
Firefighters responded to a home on the 1800 block of Sixth Street South around 5:45 a.m. The fire had spread all the way to the attic of the two-and-a-half story home, which housed several businesses, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
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Firefighters also moved to the house next door when it started smoking. That home contained a day care.
While searching that home, firefighters opened a wall, resulting in an explosion from built-up smoke and gas. The blast blew two firefighters off their feet, but they were able to make it out of the structure. They were both taken to a hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.
No one else was injured. The fire department said both homes are uninhabitable. The Red Cross is assisting residents who lived in the home containing the day care.
The fire's cause is being investigated. As of 10:25 a.m., crews were still trying to extinguish the fire between the buildings.
Ayub Genemo said he operated a tax business out of the original residence, and that several other businesses were housed there.
"I am very sad and upset, and as tax season is just starting this week," he said. "I feel so bad, I feel so sorry for my clients."