Arson Suspected in Portable Toilet Fire: Saint Paul Blotter

During the week of Dec. 21 through Dec. 27, the Saint Paul Fire Department responded to 862 calls for service. Here is a sampling of some of the emergency and non-emergency activities:

Trauma

On Dec. 21 at 6:11 a.m., Saint Paul firefighter, paramedics and EMT's responded to the area of Dudley Avenue and Fairview Avenue North for a 23 year old male who sustained a leg fracture when his foot was ran over by a Bobcat loader while working in a cattle barn. He was treated and transported to an area hospital.

Flash Fire

Saint Paul firefighters were called to a report of a fire on Dec. 21 at 12:50 p.m. on the 100 block of Sherburne Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find smoldering embers in a closet containing two water heaters. The owner stated he was insulating the closet with expandable spray foam when the vapors caused a flash fire, ignited by the water heater burner. Damages are estimated at $200.

Assault

On Dec. 22 at 12:24 p.m., Saint Paul firefighters, paramedics and EMT's responded to the area of Mulberry Street and Kellogg Boulevard West for a 23-year-old female who reported being assaulted by an acquaintance. She was treated and transported to an area hospital.

Gunshot Wound

Saint Paul firefighters, paramedics and EMT's responded to the 200 block of Bates Avenue on Dec. 23 at 3:51 p.m. for a 35-year-old male who had been shot in the leg. He was treated and transported to an area hospital.

Portable Toilet Fire/Arson

On Dec. 24 at 8:53 a.m., Saint Paul firefighters responded to the 600 block of Pedersen Street for a fire in a portable toilet at a bus transit center. The investigation determined the fire was caused by arson. Anyone with any information on this or any other arson fire is urged to call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020.

Unattended Cooking Fire

On Dec. 24, Saint Paul firefighters were called to the 1100 block of Matilda Street for a stove top fire. The occupants reported their 10 year old daughter turned on the stove to heat up oil to cook chicken strips and the oil caught on fire. A family friend sustained burns attempting to fight the fire. Damages are estimated at $6,500.

Candle Fire

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a house fire on Dec. 24 at 10:09 p.m. on the 500 block of Mackubin Street. The homeowners had lit several candles with greenery around them on a wooden hutch. Without blowing out the candles, they went to a neighbor’s home for dinner and returned home to find the fire. Damages are estimated at $300,000.

House Fire/Arson

On Dec. 27 at 8:08 a.m., Saint Paul firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from a vacant home on the 20 block of Sycamore Street East. They arrived to find a fire in the basement of the home. The investigation determined the fire was caused by arson. Anyone with any information on this or any other arson fire is urged to call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020.

Image via Saint Paul Fire