2 Overnight Fires Damage Homes In NE Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minneapolis Fire Department had to fight two separate fires in northeast Minneapolis Friday morning.

According to fire officials, the first fire was reported at Polk and 18th Avenue Northeast. There a possible lightning strike caused a fire in the attic of a home with an attached garage. The fire then spread to an adjoining home. Two cars also caught fire.

When fire crews arrived, a second alarm was called to battle fires in both homes. Crews stopped the fire in the second home quickly, but continued to battle the fire in the first home for around an hour before bringing the fire under control.

As fire crews were leaving the first fire, another fire was reported at 212 8th Avenue NE just before 5 a.m. There, a small fire was discovered on the first floor. It was extinguished within 30 minutes.

Fire officials say weather hampered operations at both fires. About 50 firefighters were needed to fight both fires.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury – a muscle strain. There were no other injuries.

The family from the first fire is now displaced and is in care of the Red Cross.

While lightning may be the possible cause of the first fire, officials say the cause of both fires is still undetermined and are being investigated.