Cause of South Mpls Apartment Fire 'Undetermined'

Investigators say the cause of a south Minneapolis apartment fire is 'undetermined.'

The Minneapolis Arson Unit says a fire started Monday in a unit on the third floor of the apartment building at 920 19th Street East.

Firefighters were called to the building shortly after 4 p.m. Upon arrival, they found flames coming out of two windows on the top floor, officials say.

Fire investigators were going to let residents return to part of the three-story building, but late Monday they discovered the fire alarms could not be reset. About 70 people had to find another place to stay for the night.

According to building management, the building has 19 occupied units. The Red Cross stepped in to help the displaced residents find a place to stay.

Fire officials say one person was taken to a hospital for possible smoke inhalation. Everyone else made it out safely.

It didn't take firefighters very long to get the fire under control, but the third floor suffered considerable smoke and water damage.

Fire investigators hope to get the bottom two floors open sometime Tuesday after they reset the fire alarms.

Authorities say the cause of the fire is undetermined because, 'no competent ignition sources were found in the room.'

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