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Three St. Paul house fires in 90 minutes strain crews

St. Paul Fire-EMS fought three separate structure fires within roughly 90 minutes Saturday afternoon, stretching crews and prompting rescues, hospitalizations and a missing-pets report.[1]

Firefighters pulled a woman and a toddler from a duplex on the 700 block of Magnolia Ave. E., and both were taken to a hospital; a firefighter suffered minor injuries.[1] Interim Fire Chief Gregory Duren II said crews were "pushed to their limits" but kept citywide emergency coverage while containing the blazes.[1]

An apartment fire on the 1800 block of Magnolia Ave. E. about 2:30 p.m. was contained to a single unit and caused no injuries; unattended cooking is suspected.[1] Around 3:30 p.m., crews rescued the woman and toddler from the duplex on Magnolia and treated them for injuries at a hospital; a firefighter reported minor injuries.[1] Just before 4 p.m., firefighters found a single-family home on the 100 block of Elizabeth St. E. heavily involved with flames on all four sides; occupants were away and four dogs are missing.[1]

  1. FOX 9
Public Safety
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📌 Key Facts

  • St. Paul Fire-EMS handled three separate structure fires within roughly 90 minutes Saturday afternoon.
  • An apartment fire on the 1800 block of Magnolia Ave. E around 2:30 p.m. was contained to one unit, with no injuries and unattended cooking suspected.
  • Around 3:30 p.m., firefighters rescued a woman and toddler from a duplex fire on the 700 block of Magnolia Ave. E; both were hospitalized and a firefighter suffered minor injuries.
  • Just before 4 p.m., a single-family home on the 100 block of Elizabeth St. E was found heavily involved with flames on all four sides; the occupants were away but four dogs were reported missing.
  • Interim Fire Chief Gregory Duren II said crews were "pushed to their limits" but maintained citywide emergency coverage while containing the blazes.

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August 23, 2026