Months later, woman charged with murder for deadly Minneapolis apartment fire

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Minneapolis officials offer apartment fire update

On Friday Minneapolis Fire Chief Brian Tyner offered updates on an apartment fire that killed two people, and put several others in the hospital. FOX 9’s Rob Olson recaps the latest.

A Minneapolis woman faces charges of murder and arson for the massive fire that broke out at an apartment building last year.

Woman charged in Minneapolis arson

What we know:

Deonna Presbury, 35, is now charged with two counts of murder and three counts of arson for the deadly fire at the apartment building on 11th Avenue South near Interstate 94.

The criminal complaint states Presbury is a person of interest in other fires targeting an apartment resident. Presbury was also evicted from an apartment building on Elliot Avenue in 2021 after a fire broke out there.

11th Avenue South fire

The backstory:

The 11th Avenue fire broke out in the late night hours of Aug. 13, 2024, sparking a massive emergency response. Several people needed to be rescued from the burning building and two never made it out.

A report later determined the fire had been intentionally set at two points of origin: the second level rear stairwell and the second-floor hallway.

Two people, an elderly man and woman who were unable to escape the fire, were found in the rubble after the fire. Both victims were found underneath the debris from the collapsed roof.

Four other people were hospitalized, including two adults and a child who were treated for burns and another person who suffered smoke inhalation.

FOX 9 obtained 911 transcripts showing residents identifying Presbury as a suspect in the fire.

Crews on the scene of an apartment fire  that left at least four people injured.  (FOX 9)

Moments before the fire

What they're saying:

The criminal complaint against Presbury spells out a dispute between the suspect and a resident of the apartment building.

Authorities say, shortly before the fire, Presbury was arguing with a resident outside his apartment on the second floor. Witnesses said Presbury had her daughter with her at the time.

One witness told police they heard Presbury say, "Give me my s--- back or I will burn this place down." Another witness told police they heard Presbury yell "I'm going to burn this [expletive] down… you got me messed up. I'm going to kill this [expletive]."

Shortly after Presbury left, residents reported smelling smoke.

After the fire, police interviewed the resident who was arguing with Presbury. During the interview, he called Presbury. When the resident suggested Presbury was responsible for the fire, the complaint states Presbury responded saying: "Love will [expletive] you up anytime."

During questioning by police, Presbury denied being at the apartment building at all on Aug. 13. She claimed to have not gone to the building since July. Police say she later changed her story when confronted with surveillance photos – but she continued to deny having any involvement in setting the fire.

Dig deeper:

Police say Presbury is a person of interest in other fires set that targeted the resident that she was arguing with at the apartment building.

The complaint states Presbury is known to carry a torch lighter that police say could have sparked the fire. Surveillance video shows Presbury holding a lit cigarette as she left the building. 

Police say Presbury also left behind a bike and rollerblades, that she was carrying out of the building, near one of the suspected fire origin spots.

What's next:

Presbury is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to answer the charges.

She is currently being held in Hennepin County Jail.

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