Monday, April 13, 2015
Press Release
Photo: CBS Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS - A fire in the sub-basement of the Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse building early this morning has affected 911 and police operations in that space. However, 911 service is available as normal to residents, and emergency calls are still being taken and dispatched as they come in. City Hall will be open for business as usual today.
The fire, which happened within the Minneapolis Police Department’s property room at about 1 a.m., was extinguished by sprinklers and did not spread into the adjacent 911 center. However, because of smoky conditions in parts of the 911 center, some 911 staff have moved out of the center and are dispatching calls from a backup facility at the City’s 311 Center at the 3rd Precinct.
No 911 equipment was damaged in the fire and there was no structural damage to the building. As the smoke is cleared, all staff will be back working in the 911 center, likely by 6 a.m. this morning.
Residents should call 911 for emergency dispatch as normal, however, as always, they are asked to call 911 only for emergencies. Non-emergency calls should go to Minneapolis 311, which opens at 7 a.m. today.
The Police Department’s property room will be closed for now, as police evaluate the extent of the damage to items in the room. Minneapolis Police will have further updates later on the property room.