Police, Firefighters Rescue Over a Dozen in Saint Paul Blaze

May 31

Two Saint Paul police officers and one resident were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in a mixed-use apartment building Saturday morning.

First responders were dispatched at 9:37 a.m. to the 500 block of Rice Street on a report of a structure fire.

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Police officers arrived first and found active flames coming from the second floor of the three-story building, which includes commercial space on the street level. Officers went inside and evacuated around seven people from the first floor.

When Saint Paul Fire crews arrived, they received reports that people were still trapped on upper floors. Firefighters made entry and brought another six to seven people to safety from the third floor. The fire was contained to one unit on the second floor and was extinguished before it could spread further.

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Both officers and one resident were transported to the hospital with minor smoke inhalation injuries, according to a Saint Paul Police spokesperson.

The building has been condemned due to the extent of the damage. The Department of Safety and Inspections said 14 adults are now displaced. The American Red Cross and the building’s management are working to assist them. Animal control also responded to help care for multiple displaced cats.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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