Edina Crews Investigate False Flames, Fatal Fire

The  responded to the following incidents during the week of April 18-24:

April 18

• Neighbors called 911 for flames seen in a home in the . Edina Police and Edina Fire arrived on the scene and found flames and heavy smoke coming from the north side of the house.  Entry to the front door was made where a body of a female resident was discovered; attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. A search was made and no one else was found in the home. Crews from St Louis Park, Richfield, Hopkins, Eden Prairie and Bloomington responded to a request for mutual aid and assisted Edina Fire crews in extinguishing the blaze quickly. It was believed that the fire had been burning for hours before it was reported. It is unclear whether the home’s smoke alarms had been working properly, the batteries could have been exhausted by the time fire crews arrived. Cause of the fire is under investigation. 

• Four responses for Emergency Medical Service by paramedic firefighters.

• Firefighters responded to a underground garage in an apartment building in the 7200 block of York Avenue to investigate a reported odor. A sewer gas smell was found and the air was monitored, though no explosive gas was detected. 

• One false fire alarm was reported.

April 19

• Three EMS incidents required paramedic responses. 

• A vehicle crash with injuries occurred on Hwy 62 near Gleason Road.

• A person was rescued from a stalled elevator in a condominium building in the 4000 block of West 51st Street.

• Richfield Fire Department requested assistance for a possible fire in an apartment building but cancelled Edina Fire units en route.

April 20

• 15 EMS responses.

• Paramedics and firefighters responded to a vehicle crash with injuries on Hwy 62 at Tracy Avenue. 

• A vehicle crash with injuries also occurred on France Avenue over Hwy 62.

• A false fire alarm was investigated.

April 21

• Edina Paramedics specially trained as part of Edina Police Emergency Response Team were called to assist Eden Prairie Police.

• Six EMS incidents.

• Paramedics responded to a vehicle crash on France Avenue near Interstate 494 in Bloomington at the request of Allina Ambulance.

• Two false fire alarms were investigated.

April 22

• Six EMS responses.

• A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Southdale Center’s parking lot and sustained injuries.

• A vehicle crash was reported on Hwy 62 but was found to be only a stalled car. 

• Flames were reported coming from a park building in the 4400 block of Vandervork Avenue. Police arrived on the scene to find that strobe lights from a party had been mistaken for flames.

April 23

• 12 EMS incident responses.

• A carbon monoxide alarm malfunction was checked.

April 24

• Nine EMS incidents.

• A vehicle crash with injuries occurred on Hwy 62 at Tracy Avenue.

• Recreational fire complaints were checked in three instances. Twice the residents were in violation of the recreational fire regulations and were burning incorrect materials. Once the fire was within the regulations and the homeowner had a permit for the recreational fire. 

• Three false fire alarms were reported.