Skyline Tower fire: 773 residents displaced; 544 in hotels after miscount
A small electrical fire early Sunday on the 12th floor of the 24‑story Skyline Tower in St. Paul activated sprinklers on the 12th–14th floors and water from the system contributed to a building‑wide power outage that knocked out heat, elevators, running water and fire alarms, prompting a full evacuation; firefighters were dispatched at 12:23 a.m., there are no reported injuries, and the cause is under investigation with no signs of suspicious activity. CommonBond revised an initial ~1,500 figure after discovering a double‑counting error and confirmed 773 total evacuees, of whom 544 remain in hotels while others are staying with friends or family or receiving assistance; more than 100 residents required special help during the evacuation.
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📌 Key Facts
- CommonBond revised the number of displaced residents to 773 after an earlier estimate of about 1,500 was found to be a double count from the wrong data source; the corrected tally used tenant rent rolls.
- As of the latest update, 544 residents remain housed in hotels while others are staying with friends or family.
- A small Sunday fire originated on the 12th floor; sprinklers activated on the 12th, 13th and 14th floors and water from the sprinklers contributed to damage to electrical equipment and a building-wide power outage.
- The power outage incapacitated heat, running water, fire suppression systems, fire alarms and all elevators, prompting the city to declare the 24‑story Skyline Tower uninhabitable and order the full evacuation; firefighters were dispatched at 12:23 a.m. Sunday.
- More than 100 residents required special assistance during the evacuation; no injuries have been reported.
- CommonBond is the building operator of the affordable housing Skyline Tower near Midway Marketplace and is directing residents and donors to a dedicated assistance page (commonbond.org/skylinetower).
- The city activated emergency resources (Metro Transit assisted with emergency transportation) and provided an Emergency Housing Support Line: 651-564-8570.
- Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith said the cause remains under investigation and there are no signs the fire was suspicious.
📚 Contextual Background
- The building is a 13-story structure.
- One victim was found in the first-floor lobby and the second victim was found in the second-floor hallway of the apartment building.
📰 Sources (5)
Skyline Tower in St. Paul revises number of residents evacuated to 773
New information:
- CommonBond confirms 773 total residents and that all were evacuated Sunday; the earlier 1,500 figure was an estimate later corrected using tenant rent rolls.
- Exact response time: firefighters were dispatched at 12:23 a.m. Sunday.
- Sprinklers activated on the 12th, 13th and 14th floors; water from sprinklers contributed to a building-wide power outage.
- Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith says the cause remains under investigation and there are no signs it was suspicious.
- No injuries reported.
- CommonBond points residents/donors to a dedicated assistance page (commonbond.org/skylinetower).
Skyline Tower fire: Updated count shows 800 displaced, hundreds remain in hotels
New information:
- CommonBond revised the resident count to 773, saying an earlier tally of ~1,500 double-counted nearly all residents due to using the wrong data source.
- As of Wednesday afternoon, 544 residents are still housed in hotels; others are staying with friends or family.
- Clarifies that a small Sunday fire damaged electrical equipment, cutting power and knocking out heat, elevators, running water, and fire alarms — prompting the city’s uninhabitable determination and evacuation.
1,500 people displaced after fire at St. Paul apartment tower
New information:
- Reports that approximately 1,500 residents are displaced following the fire, indicating extended impact beyond the initial evacuation.
1,500 residents forced from St. Paul's Skyline Tower after weekend fire
New information:
- Fire originated on the 12th floor; sprinklers later activated on three floors after an electrical system failure.
- Power loss disrupted water, heat, fire suppression, fire alarms, and all elevators, rendering the building uninhabitable.
- City activated emergency resources; Metro Transit assisted with emergency transportation.
- Over 100 residents required special assistance during evacuation due to medical conditions.
- CommonBond is the building operator; the property is a 24‑story affordable housing tower near Midway Marketplace.
- Residents cannot return until power and essential services are restored; city provided an Emergency Housing Support Line (651-564-8570).