Fire destroys Burnsville apartment complex; no injuries reported

A fire has destroyed an apartment building in Burnsville this afternoon, displacing 64 households.

Fire officials are still trying to control the blaze and keep it from spreading to a second building in the complex.

City spokesman Dan Carlson said firefighters responded to a call about smoke in the building around 4 p.m. He said the two buildings in the complex were evacuated and one has been declared a total loss.

"We have the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority donating buses to help keep people warm and sheltered and trying to basically get the fire under control at this time," Carlson said.

Residents were taken to Burnsville High School. Carlson said firefighters are now trying to keep the blaze from spreading to the second building.

"We've got fire agencies from Bloomington, Savage, Eagan, Health East Ambulance, the Red Cross, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority," Carlson said. "Burnsville's mobile volunteer network has been activated to assist."

Carlson said the cold temperatures and high winds are hampering efforts to put out the fire. So far, no injuries have been reported.