Overview
- A massive fire broke out at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds in Scott County on April 17, destroying 10 to 20 retail and food buildings.
- Fire crews faced significant challenges, including water shortages and poor access due to gravel roads and recent rainfall, but contained the blaze by 8 p.m.
- No injuries have been reported, and authorities are investigating the cause, with witness accounts suggesting a possible lightning strike.
- Multiple local fire departments and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office collaborated in a rapid and coordinated response to the fire.
- Festival organizers have expressed gratitude to emergency responders and have begun planning efforts to rebuild and restore the event’s infrastructure.