Cause of South Mpls Factory Fire May Never be Known

A Friday night explosion and fire at a Minneapolis factory injured one firefighter.  On Monday, the Fire Marshal released the official cause.

Deputy Chief Perry Ebner listed the cause as "unknown based upon the evidence."

At least one explosion brought firefighters and hazmat crews to a south Minneapolis business Friday night.

Authorities say the incident began shortly after 9 p.m. near the intersection of East 28th Street and Longfellow Avenue South at a business that makes asphalt.

Witnesses reported multiple explosions and a police officer told 5 EYEWITNESS News he saw flames shooting from the top of the building when he arrived on the scene.

Fire officials say stacks of wood pallets had apparently caught fire, causing several propane tanks to explode.

Firefighters were able to get the fire under control just before 11 p.m. Streets in the area were closed and buses were re-routed. The streets have since reopened.

One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and released from the hospital Friday night. Employees of the business were present at the time of the fire, but no one was injured.

Fire officials are continuing to investigate what started the fire.

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