Firefighters fought frigid temperatures and some big time flames Thursday, Jan. 12 as an evening fire engulfed a townhome complex near the 77th Street Northeast and Wright County Highway 19 intersection in Otsego.
Witnesses said the fire started after 10 p.m. and fully engulfed the central portion of the townhome complex. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, flames were shooting out of the roof of the structural fire, which was believed to have started two stories lower, in a garage.
Otsego Mayor Jessica Stockamp and the Wright County Emergency Management team worked together to open Prairie Center, the part of the city hall complex in Otsego, to families displaced by the blaze. She reported early Friday morning that three families had taken the city up on the offer and were using cots and blankets provided by the city and the Red Cross. Five other families in the complex were seeking shelter through other arrangements – friends or family.
The fire was intense, and magnified by temperatures that quickly sunk below zero Thursday night and into Friday morning. A vehicle was left charred in the main driveway of the unit where the fire began. Three departments – Albertville Fire, Elk River Fire and St. Michael Fire and Rescue – teamed with Wright County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Allina and CentraCare Ambulance at the scene. Witnesses said one or two people were treated for smoke inhalation, but Stockamp reported via a local social media feed that all of her residents were able to escape the fire.
There are a number of ways to assist the families dislocated by the blaze. Two GoFundMe Pages have been started (see links below) and Andy’s Hometowne Pizza in nearby Albertville (located behind D. Michael B’s Restaurant) is collecting funds for the families as well.
North Wright County Today will have more information on this fire as it becomes available.