No injuries reported in 2 separate south Minneapolis encampment fires
MINNEAPOLIS — Fires burned through two separate south Minneapolis encampments Monday afternoon.
The Minneapolis Fire Department says it responded to "reports of concerns about a fire and propane tank" at an encampment near Lake Street East and Columbia Avenue South around 1:45 p.m.
Crews arrived to find a small rubbish fire with a propane tank within it. Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire and cooled down the propane tank. The fire department reported no injuries or building damage.
Nearly a half hour later, fire crews responded to reports of a fire at an encampment located at 14th Avenue South and 29th Street East. By the time help arrived, the Minneapolis Fire Department says the entire encampment had been fully engulfed in flames and propane tanks were exploding.
Crews extinguished the fire, which did not spread to buildings in the area. While there is no definitive number of how many people were at the encampment when the fire happened, officials say there were approximately 20 people in the area. No injuries were reported.
Monday's fires mark the latest in a recent string of Twin Cities encampment fires — most of which have involved exploding propane tanks.
On Friday, a fire burned through a small encampment under the Hiawatha Bridge, causing propane tanks to burst.
Last month, eight people were displaced after an encampment fire involving exploding propane tanks on the 2400 block of 15th Avenue South in Minneapolis.
On New Year's Day in St. Paul, crews responded to a fire under the Lafayette bridge that was set partially with propane tanks.
Twin Cities advocates say they're looking for other options beyond propane tanks as a source of heat for those in need – but aren't finding many.