South Minneapolis foundry fire set off several explosions

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: June 30, 2012 - 7:16 PM

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Fire crews fought a three-alarm blaze Friday night at a south Minneapolis factory that sent one firefighter to the hospital and set off several explosions.

A little after 9 p.m., crews responded to a report of a fire at the Smith Foundry at 1855 E. 28th St., according to Deputy Chief Perry Ebner of the Minneapolis Fire Department.

When they arrived, crews saw flames coming from the outside of one of the storage buildings, where stacks of wood pallets were on fire. The heat of the flames also caused several propane cylinders on a rack to explode. The intensified blaze then spread into the storage building.

Crews were able to get the fire under control shortly before 11 p.m., with the fire not extending to other foundry buildings on the property.

Employees were on scene at the time of the fire, but none was injured. One firefighter was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of apparent heat exhaustion.

The cause of the fire continues to be under investigation.

According to its website, the Smith Foundry has been producing metal castings at its Minneapolis plant for more than 80 years. The company was founded in 1923, the website said.

NICOLE NORFLEET