Appliance Fire Prompts Urgent Reminder from Minnesota Fire Department

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- It’s been a busy start to the new year for the Rochester Fire Department. 

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The department has reported responding to three destructive fires since the calendar flipped to 2025. 

A fire on Saturday afternoon destroyed animals and vehicles that were housed in a large shed that collapsed on a rural southeast Rochester property. 

Read More: Update: Animals & Vehicles Lost in Rural Rochester Fire 

An estimated 20 people were displaced by a fire that torched the second story of a southeast Rochester apartment early Monday morning. The causes of both fires are under investigation. 

Read More: Early Morning Rochester Apartment Fire Displaces Over a Dozen 

A second fire reported Monday morning is prompting an urgent reminder from the Rochester Fire Department. 

Dryer Fire Prompts Important Reminder from Rochester, MN Fire Department

A news release issued by the department says firefighters responded to a dryer fire reported at a home in the 1700 block of 8 ½ St. Southeast shortly after 1:45 a.m. 

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Responding crews encountered smoke coming from a dryer vent and its structural components inside of the home. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and ventilated the home to allow the release of any toxic gases, the news release says. 

No injuries were reported. The dryer was deemed a total loss. 

Officials say the structural components around the appliance suffered minimal damage to structural components around the appliance. Surrounding rooms had minor smoke damage. 

The Rochester Fire Department says the early-morning dryer fire serves as a reminder to ensure all appliances are vented properly by a licensed contractor. 

Residents are also reminded to frequently clean the dryer’s lint trap and vent pipe will minimize the risk of a fire.