Minneapolis homeless encampment leveled by fire Thursday

By Crime Watch MN, Feb. 29, 2024

A troubled Minneapolis homeless encampment that has moved around to at least four locations in south Minneapolis, Minn., since last summer was leveled by fire on Thursday afternoon.

The encampment was currently located in a vacant city-owned lot on East 28th Street between 11th and 12th avenues south after having been evicted by the City of Minneapolis from its third location a few blocks away at the beginning of February.

The fire broke out Thursday just after noon when it was initially reported that a large encampment area was on fire, people were heard screaming, and the fire was impacting nearby houses. Responders indicated that residents at nearby homes were being evacuated.

Minneapolis fire personnel on site aired that propane tanks were heard exploding and that a cache of 20 more propane tanks were being impinged by the fire.

A second alarm was called for additional resources.

The fire was eventually knocked down, and two people were reported to have been treated on site for minor injuries.

The fire left the encampment leveled and uninhabitable. The fire also damaged at least one nearby house that was left with melted siding.

The encampment at its various locations has been rife with trouble for months, including shootings, a homicide, a dead baby, overdoses, stolen vehicles, assaults, and more. Below, image of the encampment at its current location at East 28th St and 11th Avenue South two weeks ago.

Neighbors have repeatedly complained about the trash and biohazards generated by the camps. Below is a photo of trash piled up outside the current camp location earlier this month.

In a recent press conference held after the third eviction, Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette said that there had been over 100 calls for police service between August and January at the first two locations of the encampment.

In January alone, the encampment had generated over 100 calls to 311 for neighborhood livability type complaints. The encampment also had a viral illness outbreak in January (norovirus or similar) that sickened several people.

The current Minneapolis City Council, fueled by a small subset of vocal activists, has a majority of members that oppose encampment evictions and have been fighting Mayor Jacob Frey and the city over continued evictions.

Ward 9 City Council Member Jason Chavez has been advocating for ordinance changes that provide for semi-permanent encampments through “safe outdoor spaces” as well as requiring the city to give advance notice of encampment evictions and report on eviction “outcomes” to individuals.

Ironically, after the camp burned down, the camp organizer was on social media requesting replacement supplies that included more combustible materials like cigarettes, firewood and heaters.

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