HomeMy WebLinkAboutEFD Parklawn Ave Apartment Fire Origination
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • jgilgenbach@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apartment Fire Originated In First-Floor Kitchen
Edina, Minn., July 27, 2012 – A fire that ravaged an apartment complex on July 10 in Edina started in the
kitchen of a first-floor apartment, investigators found.
According to Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson, the fire originated in a trash can in the kitchen. While the cause
of the fire in the trash can is not definitive, smoking cannot be ruled out as a possible cause.
“After a fire of that size and intensity burns, it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly what caused the fire,” Jenson
said. “We do know it originated in the trash can.”
Jenson said the occupant of the unit was home, but left around 9:20 p.m. The fire call came in at about 11:20
p.m. Jenson explains that this event fits the scenario of a smoking-related fire.
On July 10, the Edina Fire Department was called to fire alarms sounding in an apartment building in the 4100
block of Parklawn Avenue. Edina Police reported heavy smoke in the first floor.
After several minutes, flames spread from the first floor unit climbing up the three-story building. A fourth
alarm for mutual aid was called around midnight, bringing in about 10 fire departments. After about an hour,
crews extinguished all visible flames, but worked several more hours into the night to check for fire extension
and extinguish any hot spots. The fire caused significant damage to several apartment units while dozens more
sustained smoke damage.
“If this building had sprinklers, it is very possible the fire could have been contained to the one unit,” Edina
Fire Chief Marty Scheerer said. The complex was built in 1969, before City and State codes required sprinkler
systems in multi-unit apartment buildings.
All residents of the 118-unit complex evacuated safely thanks for working fire alarms in the building, according
to Scheerer. One person was treated on-scene and released for smoke inhalation. An Eden Prairie Firefighter
was transported to Fairview Southdale Hospital for a knee injury. An elderly woman was transported to a
hospital for exhaustion.
Most residents were able to return home on July 12, once utilities were reconnected. However, several
families were permanently displaced. Displaced residents have been able to find alternative housing.
Those who wish to help the displaced residents can donate gift cards at the Edina Resource Center, 5701
Normandale Road, Room 171, or make a monetary donation at any Edina US Bank location, noting the
Parklawn Resident Relief Fund.
For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/fire or call 952-826-0330.
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