Half of Skyline Tower residents return; east tower reopens, west tower under repair
Of the 773 residents evacuated after a small Sunday fire that began on the 12th floor and activated sprinklers on multiple floors—causing a building-wide power outage that knocked out heat, water, fire alarms and elevators—all 141 households in the east tower had returned by Friday, while the west tower remains closed for repairs because of significant sprinkler water damage. St. Paul inspectors certified the building structurally sound, no injuries were reported, the fire is under investigation with no signs of suspicious activity, and CommonBond and the city continue to coordinate housing, donations and assistance for displaced residents.
📌 Key Facts
- A small fire that started on the 12th floor early Sunday (firefighters were dispatched at 12:23 a.m.) activated sprinklers on the 12th–14th floors; water from the sprinklers contributed to a building-wide power outage and damaged electrical equipment.
- The power loss knocked out heat, running water, fire alarms, elevators and fire suppression systems, prompting the city to declare the building uninhabitable and order the evacuation of all residents on Sunday; more than 100 residents required special assistance during the evacuation.
- Initial reports said about 1,500 residents were displaced, but CommonBond later revised the resident count to 773 after correcting its data; CommonBond says all 773 residents were evacuated Sunday.
- As of Wednesday, 544 residents remained housed in hotels while others were staying with friends or family.
- By Friday all 141 households in the east tower had returned to their apartments; the west tower sustained significant sprinkler water damage and remains closed pending repairs.
- The St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections completed a comprehensive safety review and certified the building structurally sound.
- No injuries were reported; Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith said the fire remains under investigation and shows no signs of being suspicious.
- CommonBond is the building operator of the 24-story affordable housing Skyline Tower near Midway Marketplace; the city activated emergency resources (including Metro Transit assistance) and provided an Emergency Housing Support Line (651-564-8570). CommonBond is directing resident and donor assistance to commonbond.org/skylinetower.
📰 Sources (6)
Half of Skyline Tower residents return to homes five days after evacuation
New information:
- All 141 households in the east tower have returned to their apartments as of Friday afternoon.
- West tower units sustained significant sprinkler water damage and remain closed pending repairs.
- St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections completed a comprehensive safety review Thursday and certified the building structurally sound.
- Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith says the fire shows no signs of being suspicious; investigation continues.
- CommonBond is accepting donations for residents at commonbond.org/skylinetower.
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).