Faribault firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers responded to 313 Central Avenue for a reported fire to the building Tuesday night.

Faribault Fire Chief Dusty Dienst told KDHL the call came in 11:39PM and upon arrival police found the occupant of an upstairs apartment on the street. He allegedly told them he had lit a fire in his apartment.

Police officers entered to moderate smoke conditions and waited for firefighters to search the building. The fire was located and extinguished by firefighters. No one was injured.

Significant damage was sustained in the apartment of origin.

Dienst says law enforcement detained the occupant of the apartment and took him to District One Hospital for evaluation.

Firefighters and law enforcement did  a preliminary investigation and secured the building. Emergency responders cleared the scene at 12:50AM Wednesday.

When I spoke to Dienst, the State Fire Marshal had arrived and was investigating the cause of the blaze in the building of a coffee shop. The coffee shop has been closed for a while, according to a sign on the door.

I asked Dienst what investigation needs to be conducted when the occupant of the apartment told law enforcement he lit a fire in his apartment. Dienst replied they still need to provide evidence in case prosecutors want to press arson charges.

In a news release, Dienst said, "This fire had potential to be a large and destructive fire. Crews did a good job of locating the fire and extinguishing it quickly."

Police Chief Andy Bohlen is also quoted, "Crews acted quickly, which kept this fire from doing extensive damage."

Window to Far Right is Apartment where Fire was Reported. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Window to Far Right is Apartment where Fire was Reported. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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Downtown Faribault Building where Fire was Reported. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Downtown Faribault Building where Fire was Reported. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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