St. Paul Apartment Fire: 20-Unit Building Torn Down a Day Later

A 20-unit apartment building in St. Paul's Macalester-Groveland neighborhood was reduced to rubble on Tuesday, November 10, one day after a fire that started in its attic caused the roof and parts of three floors to give way. Every resident got out before the collapse and no one was hurt, but dozens of people lost their homes and nearly everything inside them.

The building, known as Randolph Terrace Apartments, stood on Randolph Avenue near Fairview Avenue, across the street from St. Catherine University. The brick building dated to 1926, according to the Pioneer Press.

What happened

Firefighters were called to the building on the morning of Monday, November 9. Reported dispatch times vary slightly by outlet, from shortly before 8:30 a.m. to about 8:40 a.m. Crews found flames in an attic space above the top floor that was difficult to reach, FOX 9 reported.

Firefighters went door to door through all 20 units and confirmed the building was empty. Not long after, the roof came down and three floors partially collapsed. With the structure no longer safe to enter, commanders pulled crews out and switched to a defensive attack, fighting the fire from outside. A collapse zone was set up around the site, residents of two neighboring apartment buildings were evacuated as a precaution, and Randolph Avenue was shut down.

Crews stayed through the night putting out hot spots and small flare-ups while protecting nearby buildings. On Tuesday morning, after a final walkthrough, the city brought in heavy equipment to take the building down.

Who was affected

About 70 people were evacuated from three buildings in total, the Pioneer Press reported, though only the residents of the burned building lost their homes outright. Because the structure was declared a total loss and unstable, residents were not allowed back inside to collect belongings before demolition began.

Several residents told local TV crews they left with almost nothing. One tenant said she got out carrying only her phone and her cat, wearing whatever she had on; another said her cap and gown for an upcoming graduation were still inside. Firefighters were able to recover some pets that had been left behind, but at least one animal was still unaccounted for as of Tuesday, according to FOX 9 and KSTP.

The owner, Lori Steffen of Randolph Terrace Apartments, told the Pioneer Press the situation was "extremely tragic" for the people who lived there.

Response and aid

The American Red Cross was called to help displaced households. A spokesperson for the Red Cross of Minnesota and the Dakotas said everyone who had contacted the agency was staying with friends or family, and that volunteers were prepared to open a shelter if needed. Red Cross health volunteers also helped residents replace prescription medications, and emotional support volunteers were available. Residents who still need help can reach the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 and choose the disaster services option.

Neighbors have organized as well. The Pioneer Press reported that a neighbor is collecting clothing and gift cards at the church at 1935 St. Clair Avenue during set hours on Wednesday, Thursday (9 a.m.-3 p.m. both days) and Sunday morning (9 a.m.-noon), and that St. Paul Corner Drug is also accepting donations.

Cause still under investigation

Officials have not said what started the fire. One resident told FOX 9 that lights in the building had been dimming and flickering through the night before, but fire officials have not determined whether an electrical problem played a role. Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith noted that the collapsed floors and the volume of water poured onto the building will make the investigation harder.

The debris is expected to remain on the lot for roughly two weeks. Outlets gave two reasons: to let any buried embers burn out so they cannot reignite in transit or at a landfill, and to allow testing for potentially hazardous materials before disposal. KSTP reported the property owner keeps the land and will decide what happens to it, subject to zoning and building codes.

What this means for renters

Attic fires in older buildings are especially dangerous because they can burn out of sight above residents' heads, and a fire in a roof space can weaken the structure long before it is obvious from inside a unit. A few takeaways for tenants in older walk-ups:

• Report electrical warning signs in writing. Flickering or dimming lights, warm outlets, buzzing switches and breakers that trip repeatedly are all worth a dated repair request to your landlord, and a call to the fire department if you smell burning.
• Treat every alarm as real. Residents in this fire got out because they left when told to. Do not wait to see smoke before evacuating.
• Keep the essentials ready to grab. Medications, ID, phone chargers and pet carriers near the door can make a fast exit far less costly. Photos of your belongings stored in the cloud will help with any insurance claim.
• Check your renters insurance. Policies typically cover personal property and additional living expenses after a fire; landlords' policies generally do not cover tenants' belongings. Our guide to renters insurance after a fire explains loss-of-use coverage.
• Know your next steps. If you are displaced, ask your landlord in writing about your lease, your security deposit and any prepaid rent for November. Our first-72-hours checklist walks through what to do after an apartment fire.

Renter News will update this story when St. Paul fire investigators release a cause.