Accidentally-lit gasoline caused an auto body shop in a residential block of north Minneapolis to catch fire Wednesday, leaving one person burned, authorities said.
Firefighters were called at 10:40 a.m. to Fremont Automotive Service at 4053 Fremont Av. N., where they found the one-and-a-half story shop fully engulfed, according to Assistant Minneapolis Fire Chief Charles Brynteson. A worker inside the body shop was taken to North Memorial Medical Center, then Hennepin County Medical Center with minor burns. Crews protected one nearby home and evacuated a second. An occupant of a nearby home was assisted by the Red Cross.
After several hours and a second alarm to assist with manpower, the fire was under control at 2 p.m. Crews were expected to remain on scene to monitor hot spots.
Firefighters determined that the official cause of the blaze is an accidental ignition of gasoline. No firefighters were injured.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
