Minnesota Woman Killed in Fire – Many Elderly Residents Evacuate

Robbinsdale, MN (KROC-AM News) - An investigator from the State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting with the investigation into a fatal fire in the Twin Cities this morning.

Robbinsdale Police Captain John Elder says police officers and the Robbinsdale Fire Department responded around 5:15 AM to reports of a possible fire in a seven story apartment building. He says the first officers to arrive at the scene reported seeing heavy smoke coming from a third-floor apartment unit.

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Thick smoke prevented the police officers from entering the apartment, but firefighters were able to get inside and removed an adult woman from the residence. The police officers assisted in evacuating the other residents to Metro Transit buses that were brought to the scene.

Captain Elder says first-aid was administered to the woman, but she died from her injuries. Her name has not been released.

He says the fire was contained to the victims apartment, but there was water damage to a number of surrounding units. Elder also noted that the response to the incident was challenging due to the cold temperatures and that many of the building's residents are elderly and mobility challenged.