HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.05.15 RESO 2023-7 Hazardous Bldg at 14197 Forest Blvd f
RESOLUTION 2023-7
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ORDER OF THE CITY OF HUGO REGARDING
HAZARDOUS AND SUBSTANDARD BUILDING LOCATED AT 14197 FOREST
BOULEVARD NORTH, HUGO,MINNESOTA
WHEREAS,the Order is made in connection with the property located at 14197 Forest
Boulevard North, Hugo, Minnesota, and is legally described as:
See Attached Exhibit A
WHEREAS, the property is owned by Edith Woodard and Timothy Lindgren with
lienholders/mortgagees: Cross County Mortgage, LLC.
WHEREAS,the property and building is in a state of dilapidation as it was destroyed by fire on
September 21, 2022; and
WHEREAS,the city sent letters to the owners on March 16, 2023, and April 21, 2023 notifying
the owner of the hazardous and nuisance state of the building per State Building Code, State
Statute, and City Code and provided them with ways to eliminate the potential health and safety
hazards for the building and for it to come into compliance; and
WHEREAS,the city has been in contact with the owners and a decision has not been made on
how to abate the violations; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 463.15 and 463.261,the City Council of the City of
Hugo finds the building located at 14197 Forest Boulevard North to be a hazardous building for
the following reasons:
1. There has been substantial fire damage to roof trusses, ceiling structures, floor joints,
wall structures, attic, stairway,plumbing system, electrical system, HVAC system,
siding and trim.
2. Many roof trusses, ceiling structures, floor joints, wall structures, are broken and/or
burned through leaving the support system very unstable and at risk of collapsing.
3. There are dislocated support posts at the main entrance to the structure that are very
unstable and at risk of collapsing.
4. There are substantial breaks and holes in the roof,walls, and floor, creating a public
safety hazard.
5. There are broken and missing windows and doors leaving entrances for the public,
rodents,birds, and inclement weather.
6. Open electrical circuits and exposed wires throughout the building create fire hazards.
7. The mechanical HVAC systems are inoperable because of fire damage.
8. Washington County Sheriff's Department has reports of people breaking into the
building. The building is difficult to secure and can easily be accessed by the public
which is a safety hazard.
9. Uninhabitable property—not fit for living.
WHEREAS,the inspections of the property further reveal the following property maintenance
violations per Section 46-3 of Hugo Municipal Code:
1. The structure has decayed to an extent exceeding one half of the original value and is
situated so as to endanger the safety of the public.
2. The condition of the structure liable to cause injury to the person or property of another.
WHEREAS,the conditions listed above are documented in the inspection report, fire report,
letters, and pictures prepared by the City of Hugo, and Hugo Fire Department on September 21,
2022, and September 23, 2022, copies of which are attached to this resolution as Exhibit B.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HUGO, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
1. That pursuant to the foregoing findings and in accordance with Minn. Stat. §§ 463.15 and
463.261, the council orders the record owners of the above hazardous building or their
representatives to make the following corrections on the property at 14197 Forest
Boulevard North:
a. Repair or replacement of all items including,but not limited to,roof trusses,
ceiling structures, floor joints, wall structures, attic, stairway, plumbing system,
electrical system, HVAC system, siding and trim, that has been damaged by the
fire.
b. All burned or damaged building components removed and replaced, all ingress,
egress points and openings secured with doors, windows and wall sections.
c. Structure shall be inspected by a structural engineer and a report on findings shall
be submitted. All repairs detailed in the report shall be completed.
d. All elements of the building shall be repaired or replaced to 2020 Minnesota
Building Codes, City Code, and other applicable codes.
2. That the repairs listed above must all be made within 30 days after the order is served
upon the property owner. The repairs must be completed in compliance with all
applicable codes and regulations,pursuant to proper permits from the city.
3. That if repairs are not made within the time provided in paragraph 2, the building is
ordered to be razed, the foundations filled, and the property left free of debris, in
compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, pursuant to proper permits from the
city. This must be completed within 15 days after the initial time period provided in
paragraph 2 has expired.
4. That a motion for summary enforcement of the order will be made to the District Court of
Washington County in which the hazardous building or property is situated unless
corrective action is taken, or unless an answer is filed within the time specified in Minn.
Stat. § 463.18, which is 20 days.
5. That in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 463.24, the owner or occupant must remove all
personal property and/or fixtures that will reasonably interfere with the work within 20
days of service of this notice. If the property and/or fixtures are not removed and the city
enforces this order, the city may sell personal property, fixtures, and/or salvage materials
at a public auction after three days posted notice.
6. If the city's order is granted and it must take actions to enforce this order for the
hazardous building to be razed and removed, all enforcement costs will be specially
assessed against the property and collected in accordance with Minn. Stat. §§ 463.22,
463.161, and 463.21.
7. That the city attorney is authorized to serve this order upon the owner of the premises at
14197 Forest Boulevard North and all lien-holders of record pursuant to Minn. Stat. §
463.17.
8. That the city attorney is authorized to proceed with the enforcement of this order as
provided in Minn. Stat. §§ 463.21 et seq. and 463.261.
Passed and adopted by the City Council for the City of g n th' 0 2023
Tom Weidt, Mayor
ATTEST
Michele Lindau, City Clerk
Exhibit A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
That part of lot 38,County Auditor's Plat No.7,Hugo Village,described as follows: Beginning at a point on the
East line of the right of way of Trunk Highway No.61 which is 1077.76 feet Northerly,measured along the East
line of Trunk Highway No.61 from the South line of Section 20,Township 31,Range 21;thence East parallel with
the South line of said Section 20 a distance of 170 feet to a point;thence Northerly parallel with the Easterly right
of way line of Trunk Highway No.61,60 feet to a point;thence West parallel with the South line of said Section
20,170 feet,more or less,to the East right of way line of said Trunk Highway No.61;thence Southerly on the East
right of way line of Trunk Highway No.61,a distance of 60 feet,more or less,to the point of beginning,
Washington County, Minnesota.
Exhibit B
NFIRS-1 Basic
82106 MN 09 21 2022 Hugo (FD)2022280 0
FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure
Location Type
Census tract:
Street Address
Intersection
In Front Of
Rear Of
Adjacent To
Directions
US National Grid
14197 FOREST BLVD-Boulevard N-North
Number Prefix Street or Highway Street Type Suffix
Hugo MN 55038
Apt./Suite/Room City State Zip Code
Cross Street
Incident Type
111-Building fire
Aid Given Or Received
1 Mutual Aid Received
2 Auto. Aid Received
3 Mutual Aid Given
4 Auto. Aid Given
5 Other Aid Given
None
WHITE BEAR
LAKE (62112),
LINO LAKES
(02116),
CENTENNIAL
(02103),
FOREST LAKE
(82105)
Their FDID Their
State
Their Incident Number
Dates and Times
Alarm 09 21 2022 17:28
Arrival 09 21 2022 17:33
Controlled 09 21 2022 22:00
Last Unit
Cleared
09 21 2022 22:11
Shifts and Alarms
1
Shift or
Platoon
Alarms District
Special Studies
9244 3 - No, COVID
19 was not a
factor
ID#Value
A
B
C
D
E1 E2
E3
Page 1 of 12
Actions Taken
11-Extinguishment by fire service
personnel
Primary Action Taken
Resources
Apparatus or Personnel Module is used.
Apparatus Personnel
Suppression 9 16
EMS 1 1
Other 0 0
Resource counts include aid received
resources.
Estimated Dollar Losses and Values
Losses:Required for all fires if
known. Optional for all
non-fires.
None
Property:$ 200,000.00
Contents:$ 75,000.00
Pre-Incident Values: Optional None
Property:$
Contents:$
Completed Modules
2 - Fire
3 - Structure Fire
4 - Civilian Fire Cas.
5 - Fire Service Cas.
6 - EMS
7 - HazMat
8 - Wildland Fire
9 - Apparatus
10 - Personnel
11 - Arson
Casualties None
Deaths Injuries
Fire
Service
0 0
Civilian 0 0
Detector
Required for Confined Fires
1 - Detector Alerted Occupants
2 - Detector Did Not Alert Them
3 - Unknown
Hazardous Materials Release
1 - Natural Gas
2 - Propane Gas
3 - Gasoline
4 - Kerosene
5 - Diesel Fuel / Fuel Oil
6 - Household Solvents
7 - Motor Oil
8 - Paint
0 - Other
None
Mixed Use Property
Not Mixed
10 - Assembly Use
20 - Education Use
33 - Medical Use
40 - Residential Use
51 - Row Of Stores
53 - Enclosed Mall
58 - Business and
Residential
59 - Office Use
60 - Industrial Use
63 - Military Use
65 - Farm Use
00 - Other Mixed Use
Property Use None
Structures
131 Church, Place of Worship
161 Restaurant or Cafeteria
162 Bar/Tavern or Nightclub
213 Elementary School, Kindegarten
215 High School, Junior High
241 College, Adult Education
311 Nursing Home
331 Hospital
341 Clinic, Clinic-Type Infirmary
342 Doctor/Dentist Office
361 Prison or Jail, Not Juvenile
419 1- or 2-Family Dwelling
429 MultiFamily Dwelling
439 Rooming/Boarding House
449 Commerical Hotel or Motel
459 Residential, Board and Care
464 Dormitory/Barracks
519 Food and Beverage Sales
539 Household Goods, Sales, Repairs
571 Gas or Service Station
579 Motor Vehicle/Boat Sales/Repairs
599 Business Office
615 Electric-Generating Plant
629 Laboratory/Science Laboratory
700 Manufacturing Plant
819 Livestock/Poultry Storage (Barn)
882 Non-Residential Parking Garage
891 Warehouse
Outside
124 Playground or Park
655 Crops or Orchard
669 Forest (Timberland)
807 Outdoor Storage Area
919 Dump or Sanitary Landfill
931 Open Land or Field
936 Vacant Lot
938 Graded/Cared for Plot of Land
946 Lake, River, Stream
951 Railroad Right-of-Way
960 Other Street
961 Highway/Divided Highway
962 Residential Street/Driveway
981 Construction Site
984 Industrial Plant Yard
Property Use:
Description
Look up and enter a Property Use code and
description only if you have NOT checked a
Property Use box.
Owner
Local Option Person/Entity Type Business Name (if applicable)Phone Number
Mr., Ms., Mrs.First Name MI Last Name Suffix
Number Prefix Street or Highway Street Type Suffix
Post Office Box Apt./Suite/Room City
State Zip Code
F G1 G2
H1
H2
H3 I
J
K2
Page 2 of 12
Remarks:
On September 21, 2022 Hugo fire along with auto aid from Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Centennial and Lino Lakes Fire
Departments were dispatched to a residential structure fire located at 14197 Forest Blvd N. in Hugo, MN 55038. I, Hugo Chief
3 arrived first on scene and found a one story single family home with smoke showing on three sides of the structure with
active fire showing in the basement. During my walk around the house I found fire venting through a small basement window
working its way up the side of the house and extending into the eaves of the roof line.
Hugo Ladder 1 arrived and initiated a transitional attack through the basement windows and to the Charlie side of the home
to extinguish visible fire and cool environment before entering the structure for search and rescue and fire control. The
structure was searched several times to ensure no one was in the home as the homeowner was unable to be located at the
time fire attack was initiated. The home had fallen on disrepair over the years so crews were advised to use an abundance of
caution while working inside the home and once the all clear was given crews were pulled out and the remainder of the
operation was conducted via exterior or roof operations via ladder truck bucket ops.
Once the fire was extinguished an investigation was initiated by Hugo Fire Marshal Gina Duncanson and Fire Fighter Bob
Bieniek. Due to the suspicious nature of this fire during the initial stages of the investigation the Minnesot...
Full primary narrative can be found in NFIRS 1S - Supplemental
Authorization
Officer In Charge ID Signature Position or Rank Assignment Date
E9943 Emans, Colin 09/22/2022
Member Making Report
ID
Signature Position or Rank Assignment Date
L
M
Page 3 of 12
NFIRS-2 Fire
82106 MN 09 21 2022 Hugo (FD)2022280 0
FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure
Property Details
B1 1 Not Residential
Estimated number of residential living units in the building
of origin whether or not all units became involved
B2 1 Buildings Not Involved
Number of buildings involved
B3 None Less than 1 acre
Acres burned (outside fires)
On-Site Materials
Or Products
On-Site Materials
Storage Use
Ignition
D1
71-Substructure area or
space, crawl space
Area of Fire Origin
D2
69-Flame/torch used for
lighting
Heat Source
D3
99-Multiple items first
ignited
Item First Ignited
D4
Type of Material First Ignited
Cause of Ignition
1 - Intentional
2 - Unintentional
3 - Failure of Equipment or Heat
Source
4 - Act of Nature
5 - Cause Under Investigation
U - Cause Undetermined After
Investigation
Factors Contributing to Ignition
00-Factors contributing to ignition, other
Factor Contributing to Ignition
Human Factors Contributing to
Ignition
Check all applicable boxes
None
1 - Asleep
2 - Possibly impaired by alcohol or
drugs
3 - Unattended person
4 - Possibly Mentally Disabled
5 - Physically Disabled
6 - Multiple Persons Involved
7 - Age Was A Factor
Estimated Age of
Person Involved
Male Female
Equipment Involved In Ignition
Equipment Involved
Brand
Model
Serial #
Year
Equipment Power Source
Equipment Power Source
Equipment Portability
1 - Portable
2 - Stationary
Portable equipment normally can be moved by one or two
persons.
Fire Suppression Factors
A
B C
D E1
E2
E3
F1 F2
F3
G
Page 4 of 12
Mobile Property Involved
1 - Not involved in ignition, but burned
2 - Involved in ignition, but did not burn
3 - Involved in ignition and burned
None
Mobile Property Type and Make
Mobile Property Type
Mobile Property Make
Local Use
Pre-Fire Plan Available
Arson Report Attached
Police Report Attached
Coroner Report Attached
Other Reports Attached
Mobile Property Model Year
State License Plate Number VIN
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
H1 H2
Page 5 of 12
NFIRS-3 Structure Fire
Structure Type
1 - Enclosed Building
2 - Portable/Mobile Structure
3 - Open Structure
4 - Air-Supported Structure
5 - Tent
6 - Open Platform
7 - Underground Structure
8 - Connective Structure
0 - Other
Building Status
1 - Under Construction
2 - In Normal Use
3 - Idle, Not Routinely Used
4 - Under Major Renovation
5 - Vacant and Secured
6 - Vacant and Unsecured
7 - Being Demolished
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
Building Height
1
Number of Stories
At/Above Grade
1
Number of Stories
Below Grade
Main Floor Size
Total Square Feet
OR
41 BY 21
Length (ft) X Width (ft)
Fire Origin
0 Below Grade
Story of Fire Origin
Fire Spread
Confined to Object of Origin
2 - Confined to Room of Origin
3 - Confined to Floor of Origin
4 - Confined to Building of Origin
5 - Beyond Building of Origin
Number of Stories Damaged By Flame
Number of Stories w/Minor Damage (1-24%)
Number of Stories w/Significant Damage (25-49%)
Number of Stories w/Heavy Damage (50-74%)
Number of Stories w/Extreme Damage (75-100%)
*Count the roof as part of the highest story
Type of Material Contributing
Most to Flame Spread
K1
Item Contributing Most
to Flame Spread
K2
Type of Material
Contributing
Most To Flame Spread
Presence of Detectors
N - None Present
1 - Present
U - Undetermined
Detector Type
1 - Smoke
2 - Heat
3 - Combination of Smoke and Heat
4 - Sprinkler, Water Flow Detection
5 - More Than One Type Present
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
Detector Power Supply
1 - Battery Only
2 - Hardwire Only
3 - Plug-In
4 - Hardwire With Battery
5 - Plug-In With Battery
6 - Mechanical
7 - Multiple Detectors
& Power Supplies
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
Detector Operation
1 - Fire Too Small To
Activate
2 - Operated
3 - Failed To Operate
U - Undetermined
Detector Effectiveness
1 - Alerted Occupants, Occupants Responded
2 - Alerted Occupants, Occupants Failed to Respond
3 - There Were No Occupants
4 - Failed to Alert Occupants
U - Undetermined
Detector Failure Reason
1 - Power Failure, Shutoff, or Disconnect
2 - Improper Installation or Placement
3 - Defective
4 - Lack of Maintenance, Dirty
5 - Battery Missing or Disconnected
6 - Battery Discharged or Dead
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
I1 I2 I3 I4
J1
J2
J3 K
L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
Page 6 of 12
Presence of Automatic Extinguishing
System
N - None Present
1 - Present
2 - Partial System Present
U - Undetermined
Type of Automatic Extinguishing
System
1 - Wet-Pipe Sprinkler
2 - Dry-Pipe Sprinkler
3 - Other Sprinkler System
4 - Dry Chemical System
5 - Foam System
6 - Halogen-Type System
7 - Carbon Dioxide System
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
Required if fire was within designed range
of AES
Operation of Automatic
Extinguishing System
1 - Operated/Effective
2 - Operated/Not Effective
3 - Fire Too Small To Activate
4 - Failed To Operate
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
Required if fire was within
designed range
Number of Sprinkler
Heads Operating
Required if system operated
Reason for Automatic Extinguishing
System Failure
1 - System Shut Off
2 - Not Enough Agent Discharged
3 - Agent Discharged But Did Not Reach Fire
4 - Wrong Type of System
5 - Fire Not In Area Protected
6 - System Components Damaged
7 - Lack of Maintenance
8 - Manual Intervention
0 - Other
U - Undetermined
Required if system failed or not effective
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
Page 7 of 12
NFIRS-9 Apparatus or Resources
82106 MN 09 21 2022 Hugo (FD)2022280 0
FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure
B
Apparatus/Resource Dates/Times Sent
Number
of People Apparatus Use Actions Taken
ID:HUB2
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 3 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUCH1
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:46
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUCH3
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUCT1
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:46
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUE1
Type:11-Engine
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUL1
Type:12-Truck or aerial
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:46
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 4 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUR1
Type:91-Mobile command post
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:47
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 2 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUT1
Type:14-Tanker & pumper combination
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:29
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 2 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:HUU1
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:47
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
ID:Station
Type:00-Station/Resource
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
A
Page 8 of 12
Page 9 of 12
NFIRS-10 Personnel
82106 MN 09 21 2022 Hugo (FD)2022280 0
FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure
B
Apparatus/Resource Dates/Times Sent
Number
of People Apparatus Use Actions Taken
ID:HUB2
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 3 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
K6373 Kriegshauser, Kevin
L9530 LeGros, Trevor
R6073 Roettger, Jimmy
ID:HUCH1
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:46
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
C6669 Compton, Jr., James
ID:HUCH3
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
E9943 Emans, Colin
ID:HUCT1
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:46
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
H7908 Hoernemann, Ross
ID:HUE1
Type:11-Engine
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
B5400 Bieniek, Robert
ID:HUL1
Type:12-Truck or aerial
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:46
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 4 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
A
Page 10 of 12
G4191 Gregoire, Rick
K3475 Koll, Mark
N1932 Nadeau, Ryan
O6172 Olson, Timothy
ID:HUR1
Type:91-Mobile command post
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:47
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 2 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
A2038 Albertson, Darek
J0528 Jorgenson, Jacob
ID:HUT1
Type:14-Tanker & pumper combination
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:29
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 2 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
A7025 Albertson, Stephen
M1768 Millard, Douglas
ID:HUU1
Type:92-Chief officer car
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 18:47
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
D8193 Duncanson, Gina
ID:Station
Type:00-Station/Resource
Dispatch:09/21/2022 17:28
Arrival:09/21/2022 17:33
Clear:09/21/2022 22:11
Sent 1 Suppression
EMS
Other
Personnel ID Name Rank Role Attend Actions Taken
T7207 Kaspszak, Thomas
Page 11 of 12
NFIRS-1S Supplemental
82106 MN 09 21 2022 Hugo (FD)2022280 0
FDID State Month Day Year Station Number Exposure
Primary Narrative:
On September 21, 2022 Hugo fire along with auto aid from Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Centennial and Lino Lakes Fire
Departments were dispatched to a residential structure fire located at 14197 Forest Blvd N. in Hugo, MN 55038. I, Hugo Chief
3 arrived first on scene and found a one story single family home with smoke showing on three sides of the structure with
active fire showing in the basement. During my walk around the house I found fire venting through a small basement window
working its way up the side of the house and extending into the eaves of the roof line.
Hugo Ladder 1 arrived and initiated a transitional attack through the basement windows and to the Charlie side of the home
to extinguish visible fire and cool environment before entering the structure for search and rescue and fire control. The
structure was searched several times to ensure no one was in the home as the homeowner was unable to be located at the
time fire attack was initiated. The home had fallen on disrepair over the years so crews were advised to use an abundance of
caution while working inside the home and once the all clear was given crews were pulled out and the remainder of the
operation was conducted via exterior or roof operations via ladder truck bucket ops.
Once the fire was extinguished an investigation was initiated by Hugo Fire Marshal Gina Duncanson and Fire Fighter Bob
Bieniek. Due to the suspicious nature of this fire during the initial stages of the investigation the Minnesota Duty officer was
contacted and an investigator was requested. Deputy State Fire Marshal John Ray was assigned to this fire and made
arrangements to conduct a site inspection on Friday September 23, 2022. The home was boarded up via, locked and fire taped
to secure the scene until we could secure a search warrant to return to the scene and conduct an investigation.
Deputy State Fire Marshal John Ray with continue his investigation and with author a report after he finishes his investigation.
All units were able to clear the scene and return to quarters without incident. No fire fighter or civilian injuries were noted
and this fire remains under investigation.
Respectfully;
Colin Emans
Assistant Chief
Hugo Fire Department
A
Page 12 of 12