It’s been a chaotic morning in the Twin Cities. If you’ve stepped outside or even just scrolled through your feed, you’ve probably seen the smoke or heard the sirens. Honestly, it feels like the Minneapolis Fire Department hasn't had a moment to breathe lately. Between the biting January cold and some high-profile incidents, there is a lot of noise out there.
Basically, if you’re looking for the latest on the fire in minneapolis today, you need to look at two very different scenes. One is a literal structure fire that’s displacing families, and the other is a legal and political firestorm involving the department’s own incident reports.
🔗 Read more: When Was Birthright Citizenship Added to the Constitution: The Real History of the 14th Amendment
The Portland Avenue Apartment Fire: What we know
Just a few days ago, a massive response hit the 2500 block of Portland Avenue South. This wasn't some small kitchen flare-up. We’re talking about a three-story, 10-unit apartment complex that got absolutely gutted in the attic.
Interim Fire Chief Melanie Rucker—who just stepped into the role following Bryan Tyner’s retirement—noted that when crews first showed up, they couldn't even find the seat of the fire. They had to start pulling down ceilings. That’s when they found the attic was basically an oven.
The numbers are pretty staggering:
📖 Related: US Election Results Real Time: What Most People Get Wrong
- 17 adults displaced
- 7 children out in the cold
- 3 pets rescued (thankfully)
- 54 firefighters on the scene
One firefighter actually had to call a "mayday" because of smoke in their eyes, which is terrifying if you’ve ever been in a burning building. They cancelled it quickly, but it shows how sketchy things got. The investigators are leaning toward an electrical issue in the attic. In these older south Minneapolis buildings, the lack of modern "fire-stops" means a flame can just race through the walls before anyone even smells smoke.
Why the Fire Department is in the Headlines Today
There’s another reason everyone is searching for "fire in minneapolis today," and it has nothing to do with burning wood. It’s about the "fire" the department is taking over their paperwork.
Newly released incident reports from the Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD) are shedding light on the death of Renee Good. She was the woman shot by ICE agents back on January 7th. People are poring over these MFD logs because they provide the first real, non-redacted glimpse into what happened on the ground.
📖 Related: Temperature in Pennsylvania Today: Why Your Weather App Might Be Lying
The reports are pretty grim. Paramedics found her with an "inconsistent" pulse and wounds to her chest and head. They actually had to move her to a snowbank just to get away from the "escalating scene" between law enforcement and bystanders. It’s a mess. Between the actual fires and the political fallout of these reports, the city is on edge.
Winter Fires: The Hidden Danger in 2026
It’s January 17, and the wind chill is brutal. When it gets this cold, we see a specific kind of fire in minneapolis today that people usually overlook.
You’ve got folks using space heaters in "overpacked" homes. Just look at the recent fire on 30th Avenue South near Lake Hiawatha. Firefighters couldn't even move inside because there was so much "interior obstruction." Basically, too much stuff. When a house is overpacked, a small fire becomes a death trap in seconds.
Plus, we just had that massive gas pipeline explosion up in Pine County yesterday. While that’s north of the city, it’s put Xcel Energy and local crews on high alert for gas leaks here in the metro. When the ground freezes and shifts, those old pipes under Minneapolis streets can get temperamental.
Staying Safe When the Sirens Start
If you see smoke today, don't just stand there with your phone out. Honestly, the best thing you can do is give the trucks room.
- Check your detectors. I know, everyone says it. But in these attic fires, the detector on the first floor won't go off until the roof is already ready to collapse.
- Clear the hydrants. If there’s a fire on your block and the hydrant is buried in a snowbank, the MFD loses precious minutes digging it out.
- Space heater space. Keep them three feet away from everything. Not two feet. Three.
The Minneapolis Fire Department is currently operating under interim leadership while the city searches for a permanent chief. This transition period is always a little weird, but the crews on the street are still doing the heavy lifting.
If you're heading through South Minneapolis or the Phillips neighborhood today, expect some lingering detours near those recent fire sites.
Next Steps for Minneapolis Residents
- Download the MFD incident app to get real-time alerts on active structure fires in your neighborhood.
- Check the City of Minneapolis website for updates on the Portland Avenue displacement fund if you want to help the families who lost everything.
- Clear a 3-foot radius around any fire hydrants near your property to assist crews during winter emergencies.