VIDEO: St. Paul Fire Crews Fight Suspicious House Fire
St. Paul Fire crews responded to a house fire around 9 p.m. on Sunday evening after a passerby called 911 and reported they saw smoke coming from a residence on the 200 block of Ruth St N. Engine 24 was first to arrive and reported they had smoke showing from all four sides and were pulling a hose line to extinguish the fire.
Fire crews made entry into the home and determined that the residence was a duplex that was in the process of being remodeled. Ladder 24 believed they had a basement fire and attempted to make entry. Engine 9 reported that the stairs to the basement had been burnt away by fire and could not get into the basement. Crews eventually made access to the basement by entering through an egress window and cutting a hole in the garage door.
Fire command requested the balance of the assignment after witnessing heavy black smoke coming from the roof vents. Crews searched the residence and found no active fire. Crews determined that the fire had started in the basement and spread upstairs into the kitchen, however the fire extinguished itself prior to the fire department arriving.
Multiple fire crews responded to the house fire on July 18, 2021.
Fire crews remained on scene for some time ventilating smoke from the home, searching for hotspots and conducting a fire investigation. Fire command requested police to respond to assist with the investigation after crews found possible evidence of arson inside the home.
It's unknown how much damage the home suffered, but no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.