A Monday night fire in a high-rise condominium apartment building for seniors displaced 22 people, according to St. Paul Fire Department officials.
The blaze caused significant damage to the 16-story Wilder Park building on Edgcumbe Road, with eight units being condemned.
The fire started about 8:15 p.m., according to authorities, initially in two units on the 11th floor. The cause remained under investigation on Tuesday.
More than 60 firefighters responded and helped evacuate residents, according to Deputy Fire Chief Roy Mokosso. St. Paul police helped search the building and guide residents to waiting buses. One person was transported to a hospital in unknown condition.
Minnesota Public Radio News reported that because of damage to the elevators, some residents who could not use the stairs were left in their apartments.
Mokosso said at least some areas in the building had sprinklers and the system had activated and reduced the amount of damage. A fire at a Minneapolis Public Housing high-rise building without sprinklers killed five people in November.
The American Red Cross deployed staff members along with 12 volunteers to the scene at 1181 Edgcumbe.
The coronavirus pandemic complicates disaster relief, according to Red Cross spokeswoman Carrie Carlson-Guest.
“We want them to be separated. We can’t put them in congregant housing,” said Carlson-Guest. Nevertheless, the organization by Tuesday had housed 21 people in local hotels.
Volunteers are screened for signs of infection. Residents taken from the scene are asked if they have symptoms or have any special medical needs, such as medications or medical equipment.
The Red Cross has not set up a separate fund to accept donations related to this fire. However, to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Fund visit redcross.org.
This story contains information from the Associated Press.