​Photos: Saint Paul Weekly Fire Blotter

During the week of Jan. 25 through Jan. 31, the Saint Paul Fire Department responded to 861 calls for service. Here is a sampling of some of the emergency and non-emergency activities:

House Fire

Saint Paul Firefighters were called to a report of a dwelling fire on the 900 block of Woodbridge Street. The 911 caller reported the residents had moved out of the home approximately a week before. Damages are estimated at $65,700.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Labor

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a home in the West Seventh neighborhood for a 25-year-old pregnant with twins who reported being in labor. She was assessed and transported to an area hospital.

Apartment fire

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a report of a dwelling fire with children trapped in the residence on the 1000 block of Arkwright Avenue. Firefighters found an adult female and young child outside of the home with injuries from the fire.

Another adult female and a young child inside the home

The female found inside the home was fatally injured when firefighters found her. The other female and both children were transported to an area hospital where one of the children died as the result of his injuries.

The Saint Paul Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s office continue to investigate the cause of this fire.

Fall

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a home in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood for a pregnant 30-year-old who fell down approximately five stairs and was experiencing some abdominal pain. She was treated and transported to an area hospital.

House Fire

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a report of a dwelling fire on the 900 block of Aurora Street. The occupant stated he awoke due to difficulty breathing from smoke and found a fire in the kitchen.

There were no working smoke alarms in the home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Damages are estimated at $55,000.

Fire officials say the occupant of this home is very lucky to be alive.

Alleged Arson Fire

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a report of a garage fire on the 400 block of Sherburne Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find a large commercial spool of electrical wire on fire in the backyard of the residence with the former occupant of the residence standing nearby.

Authorities say the former occupant admitted to starting the fire.

Unattended Candle Fire

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a report of smoke in an apartment building on the 2000 block of Lower Afton Road. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and a fire in the apartment unit. The occupant stated she had been using multiple candles as a light source after her power was shut off.

The occupant and her children left the apartment to charge her cell phone in the hallway when she heard the smoke alarms sounding, returned to her apartment, and found the fire. The investigation determined unattended candles were the cause of this fire.

Damages are estimated at $105,000. Flashlights are a safer light source than candles. Fire officials say if you do you use candles, be sure to blow them out whenever you leave the room or go to sleep.

Garage Fire

Saint Paul Firefighters were called to a report of a detached garage fire. Firefighters arrived to find and extinguish a fire around an illegal wood burning stove in the garage.

The occupant stated he was ticketed for having the wood burning stove in his garage last year, temporarily removed the exterior vent stack to give the appearance of having removed the stove, and then later reinstalled it. The occupant stated he had used the stove approximately an hour prior to the fire being discovered.

The investigation determined the fire was caused by having insufficient clearance around the stove and is considered incendiary since the occupant knew he should not have had the wood stove in his garage. Damages are estimated at $6,000.

Wood stoves are very dangerous in residential garages due to the risk of fires such as this and several others in recent weeks, according to fire officials. Heavier-than-air gasoline vapors are easily ignitable.

Delivery

Saint Paul firefighters responded to a home in the Prosperity Heights neighborhood for a pregnant 40-year-old in labor. Firefighters and EMTs assisted with the delivery of the baby girl who was unresponsive.

They performed CPR and manually ventilated the newborn until she had a pulse and was breathing on her own.

Vehicle Fire

Saint Paul firefighters were called to a report of a truck fire in the area of Cleveland Avenue and Watson Street. They arrived to find a city plow truck with a brake fire. The driver reported plowing and applying salt when he heard an explosion from his truck and then saw smoke and flames from the driver’s side rear brake housing. Damages are estimated at $2,000.

Images via Saint Paul Fire Department