Big Fire at Apartment Complex in St. Louis Park

What Happened?

On Friday evening, firefighters were busy trying to stop a really big fire at an apartment complex in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

• The fire was at a place called the Helix Apartments.
• The apartments are located at 7500 Hwy. 7.
• Around 5:30 p.m., flames were shooting out of the roof while crews worked to put them out.

When Did It Start?

City officials said the fire department got a call about smoke at the complex at 4:47 p.m. That means people noticed something was wrong less than an hour before the big flames were seen.

How Bad Was the Damage?

Pictures taken from the sky (we call these "aerial video") showed that a large part of the apartment site was heavily damaged by the fire.

Important Point: A big section of the Helix Apartments was burned, and the damage was easy to see from above.

Are People Hurt?

As of early Friday evening:

• No injuries have been reported (that means nobody is known to be hurt yet).
• The Salvation Army was called in to help people who had to leave their homes because of the fire. These people are called displaced residents.

What Happens Next?

• Officials said investigators (people who figure out why things happen) will look into what caused the fire.
• A news crew from WCCO (a local TV station) was at the scene and is trying to learn more.

A Little Background on the Building

The Helix Apartments are not new:

• The complex was built in 1985.
• It was extensively renovated (meaning fixed up a lot) between 2020 and 2022, according to a news release about its sale last year.

Summary

A large fire broke out at the Helix Apartments in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, on Friday evening. Smoke was reported at 4:47 p.m., and by 5:30 p.m. flames were coming from the roof. Aerial views show major damage, but no injuries have been reported so far. The Salvation Army is helping displaced residents, and investigators will try to find the cause. The building was built in 1985 and renovated a few years ago. This is a developing story and will be updated.

FAQ

1. Where did the fire happen?
It happened at the Helix Apartments, located at 7500 Hwy. 7 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

2. Did anyone get hurt?
As of early Friday evening, city officials said no injuries were reported.

3. Who is helping the people who had to leave?
The Salvation Army was called to help the displaced residents.

4. Why did the fire start?
Officials said investigators will be looking into the cause, so it is not known yet.

5. Is this story finished?
No, it is a developing story and will be updated as more information comes in.