Fire at Minneapolis encampment, 2 people hurt

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A fire engulfed an encampment in Minneapolis on Thursday, injuring two people.

Minneapolis Fire officials were called to the encampment at 1105 E. 28th St. in Minneapolis around noon Thursday, Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner said. Upon arrival, firefighters worked to evacuate those living in the encampment and protect adjacent structures from catching fire.

About 50 people were living at the site. It's unclear how many people were there at the time of the fire. Officials did say two people were treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries. 

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey at a press conference Thursday said homeless encampments of this size are not safe for the people living in them nor for residents in nearby buildings. Minneapolis City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher said they're lucky there were no fatalities, adding it was a very dangerous situation. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. 

The city will be fencing off the site, removing the portable toilets that are there and removing any debris on the site, Kelliher said. The American Red Cross and other services have been called in to assist people who lived in the encampment following the fire.