Grease Exhaust Fire in Mpls spreads to other businesses

Here are pictures from a KMSP article of the catastrophic grease exhaust fire in Mpls at Heidi's kitchen on 50th and Bryant early Thursday afternoon 2/18/10 that destroyed 5 businesses including 2 restaurants. The fire started in two pans on the stove and quickly moved into the grease exhaust vent system. The Ansul system discharged and put the fire out below. As happens in many reported grease exhaust fires, the ansul system was unable to extinguish the fire that entered what we assume is a thick grease buildup in the ductwork above the hood beyond the suppression. From previous testing, buildup under 2000 microns(about 1/16" or so) would not have sustained a fire ling enough for the destruction seen. The the extreme heat from the burning grease(Over 1700 degrees) the fire quickly spread through the ceiling areas and the fire department could only fight the fire from the outside. According to the Mpls Fire Marshal, there has not been a permit for cleaning the grease exhaust vent system. Apparently, the system had not yet been cleaned and inspected under the new Mpls fire inspection program. The program has been in place only since Jan 1st so technically the cleaning might not have been due yet as it is required only every 6 months per NPFA96. It also might have been done by an unlicensed contractor. The fire is currently under investigation. By this time next year, this type of fire should be a thing of the past once the inspection program is in full swing and all the systems are cleaned at least once as required. Here is the article from KMSP Fox news below.

Several local businesses at W. 50th Street and Bryant Ave in southwest Minneapolis were destroyed

after an aggressive fire Thursday afternoon.

Firefighters were dispatched to a grease fire at Heidi's restaurant at 819 50th Street W. around 1 p.m.Thursday

afternoon. Crews found heavy smoke upon entering the building. Assistant Fire Chief Cherie Penn said fire investigators

believe a grease fire in the kitchen at Heidi's is to blame. They say two pans of grease started the fire.

The structure was deemed too unsafe for firefighters to work inside, so they battled the fire from the outside for hours.

Around 3 p.m. parts of the roof collapsed. The fire caused extensive damage to the entire building.

The building that caught fire was also home to Blackbird Cafe, Stacey's Jewelry Design, Patina gift shop and Patina's

newest store, Shoppe Local.

No serious injuries were reported, but Penn said two firefighters were taken to the hospital but will be okay.