Plymouth Police, Fire Investigating Possible Arson

Plymouth Police and Plymouth Fire Department personnel are on the scene of a "suspcious" fire outbreak in the 10500 block of 45th St Northwest, just north of a busy commercial area near Rockford Road and Nathan Lane. 

According to Fire Chief Kip Springer, crews received the initial emergency call at about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday from residents inside the four-plex unit after a fire started inside one of the basement units. 

"Residents made their way out quickly, and had worked to try to knock down the fire themselves," Springer said Wednesday while he and police looked over the scene. "They also had a garden hose out and were pouring water on the basement fire."

No one was injured, and everyone was able to get out of the burning unit safely. Springer said Plymouth crews had the fire knocked down quickly. 

The scene had two other fires. A late model Audi sedan was set ablaze in the parking lot, just south of the unit. The car's paint was severely damaged, but the body itself was not severely burned. 

"It almost looks like something was thrown on it," Springer said. "We'll know more as they investigate." 

Another small fire was set in the yard of the unit. 

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal will head up the investigation going forward, as the fire has been deemed "suspicious." That label means initial investigations show arson as the cause.

"Mainly because of the separate fires that were going at the scene," Springer said. "Everyone has their theories of what went on, but until we get the official investigation we just won't know."

West Metro Fire and Wayzata Fire were also called to the blaze, though Wayzata was canceled en route. Hennepin County sent a crime lab unit to the scene early this morning to assist with the initial investigation.