Sky lantern ignites hotel fire in Rochester
Safety officials have a new warning about the popular sky lanterns after one ignited a fire at a Rochester hotel.
The lanterns are made of paper and are carried aloft by hot air generated by a candle. Occasionally the lanterns remain lit after they fall from the sky, which is what happened this week at the America's Best Value Inn in Rochester. A lantern ignited a small fire on the hotel roof, which was extinguished by firefighters.
Winona Fire Capt. Jason Theusch tells KTTC-TV that even though the lanterns are being sold in some retail stores in Minnesota, they are, in fact, illegal.
---
Information from: KTTC-TV
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.