Historic Stevens House in Minneapolis: 911 transcripts for fires released

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - "I’m sorry, we’re gonna need the fire department out at the Stevens House again, this one’s bigger."

That's what a 911 caller said about one of the fires at the historic John H. Stevens House in Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis, according to transcripts of the 911 calls obtained by FOX 9's Mary McGuire:

The Stevens House, one of the first homes built by settlers in Minnesota and considered to be the "birthplace of Minneapolis", was set on fire three times between late August and early October. All three fires were set in the early morning hours.

The first fire was reported on August 30 around 4:53 a.m., the second exactly three weeks later on September 20 around 3:10 a.m., and, less than two weeks later, the third fire was reported around 3:41 a.m. on October 1. The September 20 fire was ruled as arson after evidence of an accelerant was found. 

Police last week said the investigation into the fire is ongoing, and they are asking anyone who might have information that could aid the investigation to call 1-800-723-2020. Park police say information submitted leading to the identity of the arsonist would be eligible for a $5,000 reward.

To prevent further fires, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has put a fence up around the historic house. The house was still in the midst of repairs when the second and third fires started.

The Stevens House was built in 1849 near St. Anthony Falls and later moved to its current location off South Minnehaha Park Drive in 1896.