A northeast Minneapolis apartment building was evacuated Monday morning after a car crashed into the building and ignited a blaze.

Firefighters arrived at 80 NE. Broadway Street shortly after 5 a.m. to find the fire burning outside the five-story building, said Minneapolis Fire Department spokeswoman Melanie Rucker.

The car had burst into flames after striking a gas meter on the outside of the building, and gas from the broken meter fed the fire, Rucker said.

Firefighters did not find anyone in the vehicle, she said.

Crews shut off the gas, and the fire was contained to the outside of the building, Rucker said. Besides smoke damage, no damage was reported inside the building.

Evacuated residents took shelter in a Metro Transit bus brought to the scene, Rucker said. None was injured.

Residents were able to return to their apartments after the fire was extinguished and the building was cleared of gas and smoke.

Tim Harlow