Robbinsdale Police: ‘Heroic Actions’ Evacuated People from Burning Home
“Heroic actions” by Robbinsdale police evacuated several people and pets from a burning home that officers believe was started by arson, a police spokesperson said.
Officers initially responded at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday to a home in the 3200 block of Halglo Place where there was report of an “unwanted person in a residence refusing to leave.”
Police arrested the suspect, a 34-year-old man from Minneapolis, on the second floor, said Robbinsdale police Capt. John Elder. The man had active warrants out for his arrest, he said.
As officers were putting the suspect into a squad car, Elder said police heard several loud “popping” sounds. Officers looked back and saw flames shooting out of a second-story window, Elder said.
After securing the suspect, Elder said officers went back inside the home to evacuate several people and animals.
“The officers on the scene chose to run into a burning building, at their own peril, to save the lives of other people and animals,” said Elder in a statement to CCX News. “These were truly heroic actions.”
Police say the suspect had been inside the home where the fire started.
Court records show the suspect has multiple felony convictions, including cases of domestic assault, making violent threats and fleeing police. He remains in the Hennepin County jail held without bail.
Elder said neither first responders nor the people evacuated sustained any injuries. However, the home has substantial damage.
In addition to the Robbinsdale Fire Department, firefighters from Brooklyn Center, Osseo, West Metro, Golden Valley and Minnetonka responded to the fire, which was put out before it spread to neighboring homes.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Elder said.
