UPDATE: Quick Response From Eagan Fire Department Prevents Apartment Disaster

The cause of the fire that led to the evacuation of Eagan's 106-unit Lemay Lake Apartments on Monday evening/Tuesday morning was accidental, fire chief Mike Scott confirmed.

"The cause was a plastic ash tray that ignited next to the vinyl siding of the building at the main entrance," Scott explained. "(This is) a good reminder for folks to keep their ash trays cleaned out and consider using ash trays made of non-combustible material like metal."

Clean up crews worked well into Tuesday morning in order to make sure residents could return to their apartments as soon as possible. According to Scott, approximately three-quarters of Lemay Lake residents have returned home.

"Due to building damages and blocked fire exits—due to the fire—the remaining residents will be relocated by management while the building is renovated," Scott explained. 

The fire's only fatality was a domestic cat inside one of the six apartments that sustained significant damage.

Two Eagan firefighters were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. 

(See below for the original story)

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(7:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 7) The Eagan Fire Department (EFD) responded to a fire at the Lemay Lake Apartments at 3025 Eagandale Place at 6:16 p.m. yesterday.

Upon arrival, responding crews discovered heavy fire at the main entrance of the building and also fire extending to the third floor commons area.

Without the quick response from EFD, the fire could have been much worse. 

"Crews did a good job with a quick attack preventing the fire from reaching the attic area," Eagan fire chief Mike Scott said in an email early Tuesday morning. "Initial crews needed to rescue several residents from their balconies."  

The rest of the residents of the 106-unit apartment building were evacuated without incident and no injuries were reported. The only fatality of the fire was a pet cat.  

According to Scott, approximately six units received fire damage and will require significant repairs. 

"The fire started at the exterior first floor doorway at the main entrance to the apartment building," Scott said.

Scott also confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Clean up crews continued working through the night to clean up the smoke and water damage with the hope of allowing residents back into their apartments sometime Tuesday.

Owing to the extremely warm weather, EFD called for additional assistance from fire departments from Mendota Heights, Rosemount and Apple Valley.

Two Eagan Firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion on the scene by HealthEast Paramedics.