Fire rips through building near St. Paul airport
A Tuesday night fire tore through a commercial outbuilding near the St. Paul Downtown Airport into early Wednesday.
St. Paul Fire crews were sent to Semple Excavating at 91 Ridder Circle around 11:30 p.m. and began defensive operations because the blaze was already through the roof of the building, said Deputy Fire Chief Roy Mokosso.
Water supply was difficult, Mokosso said. Crews laid down 2,000 feet of supply lines, and Maplewood fire arrived with its 2,000-gallon water truck.
Railroad managers shut down several tracks.
Mokosso said the fire was brought under control with the help of the building owner, who used heavy equipment to pull smoldering debris from the building. Firefighters left the scene around 4:45 a.m.
No injuries were reported, and the fire is under investigation.
A worker who answered the phone at Semple on Wednesday morning said they weren’t ready to comment on the fire yet: “Everybody’s pretty shaken up around here.”
Related Articles
Crime & Public Safety | Man hit by stray bullet at Interstate 35E exit ramp in downtown St. Paul
Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul, Minneapolis lift parking restrictions Wednesday
Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul woman sentenced for stealing good Samaritan’s SUV after I-94 rollover
Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul mayor, Chamber face off in testimony on sales tax for roads, parks
Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul man sentenced for shooting during pot deal
