PHOTOS: Historic Building in St. Peter Destroyed After Large Fire Saturday Night
Saturday night just after 11 p.m., St Peter fire crews were called to a fire in a two-story historic building. Callers reported smoke and flames showing from the windows and the roof of the building. The two-story building had a business in the lower level and apartments above.
All residents of the building were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Fire crews arrived and used handlines and streams from a ladder truck in an attempt to control the fire. Minutes later they evacuated all firefighters due to worsening fire conditions.
Mutual aid was provided by Kasota, Le Sueur, North Mankato and Nicollet Fire Departments. Fire crews worked close to five hours that night checking for any lingering hotspots in the structure. Highway 169 was closed while firefighters attempted to extinguish the blaze.
The blaze is still under investigation by the Minnesota Fire Marshal’s Office, with initial indications it started in an electrical box on the upper floor of the building.
The building is considered a total loss. City officials were working to determine if the building was on the National Register of Historic Places before determining if the building will be repaired or torn down.