Report: Fire Devastates Downtown Melrose

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A large fire reportedly left a Minnesota town's main street badly damaged Thursday afternoon.

The St. Cloud Times reports that flames tore through apartments and businesses in downtown Melrose.

The newspaper says a number of families are homeless and up to nine businesses are damaged.

One shop owner said historic buildings are gone. It is not known yet what sparked the fire, or if anyone was hurt.

This comes almost six months after a fire devastated The Church of St. Mary in Melrose, causing millions of dollars in damage. The State Fire Marshal believes arson was the cause.