A fire broke out at a three-story University of Minnesota housing unit in Dinkytown on Saturday afternoon, causing significant damage to the building. The incident occurred on the 1000 block of University Avenue Southeast, prompting a swift response from the Minneapolis Fire Department.
At around 1 p.m., fire crews arrived at the scene and immediately began their efforts to extinguish the flames. Multiple lines were laid, and aerial ladder water towers were utilized to combat the fire. Fortunately, all residents were able to evacuate the building safely, and no injuries were reported.
However, the building itself was declared a total loss by fire officials. As a result, several dozen University of Minnesota students have been displaced from their homes. The incident has left many students devastated, as they have lost personal belongings and cherished items.
Matthew Freed, a U of M student who resided in the building, described the chaotic scene when the fire broke out. “I’m just sitting on my computer minding my own business, and my landlord starts banging on my door saying, ‘fire… get out,'” he said. “I didn’t really understand the severity of it until I got outside.”
Luke Yelich, another student affected by the fire, expressed his sadness over the loss of personal belongings. “I think everything in our rooms was gone. It’s sad. There’s a lot of personal stuff in there,” he said.
Authorities believe that the fire originated from a dumpster and quickly spread to the building. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Despite the devastating loss, residents are grateful that no one was harmed in the incident. “You can’t replace people, but you can replace things. And thankfully, that was a blessing that everyone was able to be okay,” Freed said.
The Minneapolis Fire Department continues to investigate the incident, and support services are being provided to the displaced students. The university and local community are rallying together to offer assistance and resources to those affected by the fire.
As the cleanup and recovery process begins, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of the impacted students and helping them rebuild their lives after this unfortunate event.
