1 dead, 2 injured in overnight Minneapolis fires

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - One person died and two other people were injured in two separate house fires in Minneapolis overnight.

One fire occurred on the 2100 block of Emerson Avenue North in North Minneapolis. The fire was located in the living room on the first floor. Firefighters found a 39-year-old woman dead and a 78-year-old woman was transported to a hospital where she is fighting for her life. The house is a total loss.

A neighbor across the street said she heard a lot of people concerned about a woman named Mary, who has been identified as the 78-year-old. A pastor at the Kwaanza Community Church identified the 39-year-old as a woman named Joy and said she died trying to rescue others from the burning building.

“This community has been through a lot and continues to go through a lot so the idea that another person who lives on this in this neighborhood, so like another valued member of the community was lost, through a complete tragedy is heartbreaking.” Employee at a local outreach program said.

The other fire occurred on the 2300 block of Howard Street in Northeast Minneapolis. The fire started in on the third floor attic. One firefighter suffered a minor injury.

Both fires are under investigation.