Overview
- Firefighters forced to switch to defensive operations after flames damaged the roof and floors and made interior work unsafe.
- The roughly 100-year-old, 20-unit Randolph Terrace Apartments was judged structurally unsound and demolition began the day after the blaze.
- The American Red Cross is on scene to assist dozens of residents who lost homes and many personal belongings.
- Officials say the roof and floor collapses plus the large volume of water used to fight the fire will make determining the cause more difficult and the investigation is ongoing.
- The building sits near St. Catherine University, and nearby properties were evacuated while city inspectors assessed the site for safety and next steps for displaced tenants.