A house fire in north Minneapolis on Thursday morning forced the evacuation of more than a dozen people, including several children, from two units of a duplex.

Todd White, a deputy chief for the Minneapolis Fire Department, said no one was injured in the fire, which occurred around 9 a.m. in the 3100 block of Colfax Avenue N.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, White said.

Six people, including three children, were in the duplex unit where the fire started, White said.

He said that firefighters contained the blaze to the unit, which is located in the north half of the duplex building.

"Most of the unit is non-livable right now," White said.

Zandriene Hunt said her family lost their possessions, including Christmas presents, to fire and water damage. A neighbor comforted her after the fire.

People also were evacuated from the south half of the duplex, including resident Zandriene Hunt, 28, and her children ages 7, 4 and 19 months. Two other adults and two teenagers also were in the unit at the time of the fire, Hunt said.

They had all gathered the night before to celebrate New Year's Eve. Hunt said she was thankful that her children were safe, but worried about the future considering damage to their home.

"There's so much water damage and smoke damage, I can't bring my babies in there," Hunt said "This is the way I've got to start my new year."

When asked if residents in the neighboring unit would be able to return to their half of the duplex, White said it was unclear. "We'll see if they can, or not."

Theron Chapman, 51, of north Minneapolis, said he was a guest in Hunt's unit at the time of the fire.

"I woke up, opened my eyes this morning and the firemen were at the door, saying the house was on fire," Chapman said. "The first thing that came to my mind was: Get the kids out of the house."

He added: "We woke up, and the roof was on fire."

Christopher Snowbeck • 612-673-4744