Fire forces five families to flee Brooklyn Park townhouse

Star Tribune

Last update: December 31, 2008 - 8:42 PM

Five families living in a Brooklyn Park townhouse complex were rousted from bed early Wednesday morning when a fire broke out in a vacant unit, authorities said.

A firefighter returning to the station after working on a medical run at 3 a.m. noticed a column of smoke rising from the six-unit development on the 5600 block of Brookdale Drive, said Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Ken Prillaman.

The fire was contained to one unit, but water and smoke damaged adjacent units. Families living in three other units will be able to return home soon, Prillaman said.

It appears that a furnace or electrical malfunction sparked the fire, Prillaman said.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries while extinguishing the blaze, Prillaman said.

TIM HARLOW