Fire investigation reveals explosions linked to oxygen tanks

The city on Monday revealed new details about the fire that destroyed two neighboring single-family homes in the 10000 block of Lee Drive near Franlo Road in Eden Prairie early Friday morning.

According to an incident update on the city’s website, there were multiple reports of two or more explosions associated with the fire. While the investigation is still in its early stages, the Eden Prairie Fire Department has determined an “active fire caused prescribed medical-grade oxygen tanks to explode.”

The city reported that the investigation into the fire’s origin, which caused the explosions, continues, and no further details are available at this time.

Two adults and two children escaped from the home where the fire originated and were transported to Hennepin Healthcare for non-life-threatening injuries. Three victims were treated and released, and one adult continues to be treated for burns. One cat survived, one cat died, and a dog remains unaccounted for, the city reported.

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Two adults escaped the second home without injuries, and two cats and a dog survived.

An Eden Prairie firefighter helping to put out the blaze was transported for medical treatment and later released.

The fire department received an alert about the incident at about 12:30 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, fire crews faced intense flames already consuming both structures.

Both homes sustained significant damage, and nearby structures were also affected by the fire. As a precautionary measure, the surrounding neighborhood was briefly evacuated. The fire victims have since secured temporary housing.

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“Our crews did a great job to try to control those as best they could,” Fire Chief Scott Gerber said on Friday morning. “The fire was far advanced; it had heavy fire content upon our arrival, and crews were able to stop it at those two structures.”