Police investigating vacant building fire over report of squatters
MINNEAPOLIS -- A supposedly vacant building in downtown Minneapolis was damaged in a fire Monday morning.
Crews arriving to the the 200 block of Oak Grove Street saw eight to 10 people running from the four-story structure, along with bed sheets and extension cords used to escape.
Firefighters put out the fire on the third floor and are still investigating how it started.
No one was hurt, but police are now involved because officials say several squatters were trying to get back inside.
"Unfortunately, these structures attract squatters and illicit activity, such as drug use, vandals and prostitution," Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker said. "Abandoned and vacant structures can be extremely dangerous to firefighters, as they lack structural integrity and may contain other hazards."
Rucker said the building in question had been boarded up, but that didn't stop squatters from getting inside.
"As of today's date the Minneapolis Fire Department has had a total of 20 fires in vacant and boarded and/or abandoned structures," Rucker said. "There may in fact be an increase in fires as it gets colder. People will seek out shelter and will start fires to keep warm, among other reasons."