UPDATED: Five-Alarm Fire Caused by Careless Smoking

Last Update: Wednesday, June 8 at 4:50 p.m.

Richfield firefighters, along with a handful of other agencies, responded to a fire that broke out at Natchez Place Condominiums, 4625 Minnetonka Boulevard, in St. Louis Park shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. With temperatures near 100 degrees, firefighters were put to the test, but no serious injuries have been reported.

The fire was caused by discarded smoking materials on the deck of a second-floor unit, according to the St. Louis Park Fire Department. The fire ravaged several units, but firefighters were able to quell the flames fairly quickly.

About one-third of the condominium building sustained smoke damage, according to St. Louis Park spokesman Jamie Zwilling. He added that he expects a number of residents to be displaced from the building.

In addition to Saint Louis Park and Richfield fire crews, Minneapolis, Hopkins, Golden Valley, and Eden Prairie crews also responded to the scene. Firefighters were working in short shifts to avoid heat-related injuries, with those not in the building getting routine blood-pressure checks and taking in plenty of fluids while they rested. The Red Cross and Salvation Army were on-scene to provide water and food.

A woman in her 90s who lives in one of the condos, as well as a Golden Valley firefighter, were taken by ambulance as a precaution. Residents and firefighters were also monitored for smoke inhalation, as well as heat exhaustion. The firefighter was released later Tuesday evening after being looked at more closely.