This story was updated at 11:15 a.m. with additional photos, details and a scene map.
July 10 - Dozens of firefighters from the southwest metro descended upon a fire that tore through a large apartment complex in Edina late Tuesday.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m. Edina crews were called to alarms sounding at the Parklawn Estates at 4141 Parklawn Ave. The massive 118-unit building is three stories with underground parking.
“When police officers arrived they found heavy smoke from a first floor apartment,” said Jordan Gilgenbach, spokesman for the city of Edina.
First arriving units reported smoke from the windows on the first floor of the three-story building and requested a full first alarm assignment to the scene.
Minutes later, a fire officer radioed for a second alarm when he reported that fire was burning up the outside of the building and extending into the attic.
Firefighters stretched a long attack line and used a portable master stream in the courtyard area. A master stream from the first-due engine was also employed to combat the fire.
A third alarm was called just before Twin Cities Fire Wire arrived at the scene. At that time flames were shooting more than 20 feet over the roofline from the opposite side of the building. The fire sent large pieces of burning debris through the air.
In the courtyard area, heavy fire was venting from at least one first floor apartment. Flames were also burning balconies on the second and third levels and the intense fire was burning along the exterior of the building.
A fourth alarm was ordered around midnight.
Firefighters ascended Eden Prairie Tower Ladder 21 to the roof and used a hoseline to knock down hot spots.
In a statement from the City of Edina, they said the fire began in a first-floor apartment and caused significant fire damage to the two apartments above it. Three apartments received moderate fire damage and dozens of other apartments sustained smoke damage.
The occupant of the fire apartment was not home when the fire broke out.
“The fire alarms worked throughout which allowed for a safe evacuation,” said Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer. “But if this building had sprinklers, it is very possible the fire could have been contained to the one unit.”
Crews worked for several hours overhauling the structure and checking for fire extension.
An Eden Prairie firefighter was transported to the hospital with a knee injury and an elderly woman was transported for exhaustion. One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Several crews were released from the around 2:30 a.m.
Dozens of firefighters from Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, MAC, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley and Excelsior fire departments were on the scene. Several Hennepin EMS crews were on the scene.
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