Second Alarm Structure Fire in Apple Valley, Minnesota
Updated - 9:24PM on May 5th
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA—The Dakota County 911 Center received several calls just after 4:30 PM on Sunday regarding a reported structure fire in the 14100 block of Guthrie Avenue in Apple Valley, Minnesota. There were reports of flames coming from the garage.
The first Apple Valley Fire units arrived on the scene around 4:37 PM and confirmed a working fire originating from the garage, prompting an immediate upgrade to a second alarm. As firefighters battled the blaze, we spoke with neighbors who recounted the moments leading up to the fire. According to eyewitnesses, the fire ignited on the rear deck of the residence as someone was grilling. How it spread from the grill to the home is unknown at this time, outside of the assumption that they might have been grilling too close to the home, but the fire quickly engulfed the rear section of the garage and spread. One courageous neighbor took action, utilizing a garden hose to douse the adjacent side of their property as flames threatened to encroach upon their home.
The situation could have escalated further if not for the rapid intervention of the Apple Valley Fire Department. Their coordinated efforts successfully contained the fire, averting further spread to neighboring properties. Despite the intensity of the blaze, no injuries were reported among residents or emergency responders. Numerous witnesses attested to hearing distinct sounds of pops or explosions amidst the growing inferno. These unsettling noises are believed to be linked to propane tanks associated with the grill or smoker, further underscoring the potential hazards of such incidents. Allina Health was also on the scene to aid in providing medical care if needed.
Officials with the Apple Valley Fire Department have confirmed there were no injuries due to the fire. The majority of the damage was to the garage, but officials did say there was some minor fire damage to the main living area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Once that information is available, we will update this article.
Written by: Will Wight
