Minot Fire Department Responds to Basement Fire Caused by Fireplace Embers

On January 4, at 10:19 p.m., the Minot Fire Department responded to a report of smoke filling the basement of a home located at 320 8th St. NW in northwest Minot.

Crews from Station 5 arrived on the scene within 4 minutes and 14 seconds of the dispatch and quickly entered the home. Firefighters identified the fire in the floor joists and extinguished it promptly. The affected area was overhauled, and the structure was ventilated to ensure safety.

The response involved three engine companies, two truck companies, and one command unit from all five stations.

All occupants and pets safely exited the home before firefighters arrived. Smoke detectors were present and functioning properly. No injuries were reported.

The fire was determined to have been caused by hot embers escaping from a wood-burning fireplace, which ignited within the floor void space.