Gas Explosion, Strip Mall Blaze Among Edina Fire Calls

The responded to the following incidents during the week of March 14-20:

March 14

• 12 Emergency Medical Service responses by paramedic firefighters.

March 15

• 16 EMS incidents.

• Paramedics in an ambulance and an engine crew responded to a vehicle crash with injuries on Highway 100 at Highway 62.

March 16

• Six EMS responses.

• Four vehicle crashes, all with injuries occurred. Three crashes during the morning rush hour occurred on Highway 62, one near Xerxes Avenue and two near Highway 169. Later, another vehicle crash with injuries occurred on Highway 169 at Highway 62.

March 17

• Edina Fire gave mutual aid assistance to St. Louis Park Fire for a structure fire in a business in a strip mall. Fire crews were requested to respond with the aerial ladder to the 8100 block of Minnetonka Boulevard in St. Louis Park.

• While one crew was assisting St. Louis Park Fire, a request for assistance came from Richfield Fire Department to help evacuate an area in Richfield near a natural gas explosion in nearby Minneapolis. An engine crew responded to the area of 66th Street and Nicollet Avenue to help evacuate residences and businesses in the area as a precaution. 

• 10 EMS incidents required paramedic assistance.

• One vehicle crash with injuries occurred on West 66th Street at France Avenue.

• An accident without injuries was checked on Highway 169 at Valley View Road.

• Three false fire alarms were investigated.

March 18

• Eight EMS responses.

• An alarm alerted the fire department to water flow from the fire sprinkler system at a warehouse on the 5400 block of Dewey Hill Road. Firefighters found that a newly installed sprinkler head had been installed incorrectly and was accidentally hit by an overhead garage door. 

• Firefighters checked out a report of a smoke smell in the area of the 6200 block of France Avenue. A barbeque grill was found to be the source of the smoke odor. 

• Two false fire alarms were reported.

March 19

• Seven EMS incidents.

• A carbon monoxide alarm malfunction was checked on the 7500 block of Cahill Road.

• Firefighters responded to the area of Vernon Avenue and Tracy Avenue to investigate a report of a possible natural gas leak. Fire crews did not note an odor or measure any levels of natural gas.

• One false fire alarm was investigated.

March 20

• 15 EMS responses.

• Fire crews responded to a fire alarm on the 7500 block of Cahill Road and found that food in an oven burned, creating smoke in the apartment and setting off the alarm system. Firefighters assisted in ventilating the smoke and resetting the alarm system.

• One false fire alarm was reported.