The Cities Blog

This time, Minneapolis City Hall fire was no drill

firefighters
Minneapolis firefighters set up fans to clear light smoke out of the City Hall rotunda. (MPR photo/Brandt Williams)

An actual fire broke out in Minneapolis City Hall Tuesday, one day after city employees say they practiced for such an event with a fire drill.

According to fire chief John Fruetel,  a small fire broke out in a storage closet next to the elevator shafts on the Rotunda level of the building.  He said it took a little while for firefighters to find the fire.

After they put it out, firefighters set up a few fans to blow the light smoke and stench out the doors.

Several City Hall employees told me the timing of the fire was a bit ironic.  By the looks of how orderly and calmly everyone handled themselves, it appears the previous day's drill paid off.