Early morning Eagan apartment fire displaces several residents
EAGAN, MInn. — Firefighters are trying to figure out what started a fire overnight in a south metro apartment complex.
The Eagan Fire Department says crews were called at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to the Forest Ridge Townhome apartments on the 1200 block of Ironwood Lane. Crews were able to quickly evacuate residents.
"A little bit in shock still," Jackie Goettl said. "It's really overwhelming."
It was a two-alarm fire, and four other metro fire departments came to help due to the cold conditions.
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Goettl's two sons escaped their apartment with minutes to spare. Brothers David and James Blood say they woke to banging on their doors from first responders around 3 a.m.
"I didn't know what was going on," David Blood said. "My brother comes to my door and was like we gotta get out. I was dazed and confused. EMS is telling us to get out. It's full of smoke. My clothes smell like smoke, love that. It's so surreal."
The Blood brothers lived in one of the badly damaged units at the Forest Ridge Townhomes.
"It was a little worse than I anticipated. The living room was fine walking, not that out of place," James Blood said. "In my room, giant hole in the ceiling, completely soaking wet."
The apartment complex is currently unlivable for everyone, but no one was hurt. James Blood said even after that rude awakening, there was only one thing on his mind.
"I really didn't care about anything else, my engagement ring was inside," he said.
Luckily, the ring was recovered, and no surprises were spoiled.
"She knows it's happening in the spring sometime. She doesn't know when or where," James Blood said.
The fire was under control by about 5 a.m. EFD says all units will have some level of smoke, fire or water damage. Two units in particular sustained major fire damage. No one was hurt.
The Red Cross is helping 34 people affected by the fire. Firefighters also helped some residents get into their units to grab a few belongings.
EFD is still investigating the cause of the fire.