2 firefighters hurt as Mpls. commercial building burns

Two firefighters were treated for minor burns and heat exhaustion at the scene of a three-alarm fire in south Minneapolis on Sunday.

That fire was reported just after 4 p.m. in a commercial building at 13th and East Franklin avenues. The Minneapolis Fire Department said fire crews began searching the building after reports of people seen running out.

“Inside, crews encountered heavy shelving and large amounts of stored items blocking aisles, making it difficult to reach the fire,” the department said in a statement. “Some shelving collapsed onto hose lines, and as fire conditions worsened, crews were ordered to evacuate for their safety.”

Two firefighters were temporarily blocked from leaving the building after more shelving fell. They were evaluated, treated and released.

Authorities said part of the building’s roof collapsed. The fire sent a thick plume of smoke into the sky, visible from much of Minneapolis. Fire cr...