St. Anthony apartment fire investigated as possible arson, $5,000 reward offered

ST. ANTHONY, Minn. (FOX 9) - Authorities in St. Anthony, Minnesota are offering a $5,000 reward for information on a fire at an apartment building early Friday morning that they believe was set intentionally. 

At 2:46 a.m., the St. Anthony Police and Fire departments were dispatched to a fire on the 2800 block of Silver Lane at Equinox Apartments. When crews arrived, they found an active fire in an apartment on the third floor of the building. 

One person in the adjacent third floor apartment had to be rescued from their balcony. Other residents of the building were also evacuated. 

Paramedics evaluated several residents and first responders for smoke and heat-related concerns, but no injuries were reported. 

In total only one unit was affected by the fire. A woman and her child got out safely. Crews rescued a resident in an adjacent apartment from a third floor balcony. Seven other units suffered smoke and water damage. 

The fire appeared to be suspicious, so the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's office was contacted to investigate. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire, but "all indications point to the fire being an intentional act," according to St. Anthony police and fire. 

A reward of $5,000 is offered for information leading to the identification of the people or persons responsible for the fire. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020, Crime Stoppers Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477 or the St. Anthony Police Department at 612-782-3350 or 952-258-5321.