Four hospitalized, dozens displaced after Minneapolis apartment fire

Four people were seriously injured and dozens more were displaced after a fire tore through a Minneapolis apartment complex Tuesday night, officials said.

The blaze broke out just before 9:45 p.m. inside a four-story apartment building at 1501 11th Avenue South, in the city's Elliot Park neighborhood, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.

Firefighters arrived and discovered heavy black smoke billowing from the third floor. Inside, fire crews found heavy fire extending to all four floors inside the building's rear stairwell.

During the harrowing incident, firefighters used 40-foot ladders to rescue residents that were hanging out of windows.

As the flames reached the roof, firefighters were no longer able to enter the building and had to attack the blaze from the exterior.

The injured residents included two adults and one teenager who suffered burns and one adult who suffered smoke inhalation, the department said. All four were hospitalized and reported to be in serious but stable condition.

One dog was also rescued, given supplemental oxygen and reunited with its owner.

According to fire officials, approximately 30 residents were displaced by the fire and the American Red Cross responded to the scene to connect residents with temporary shelter and other resources.

Fire officials have not yet indicated what caused the fire, but crews were initially dispatched to reports of someone possibly starting a fire inside the building.

The fire remains under investigation.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.