Downtown Sauk Centre Fire Damages Three Businesses, Displaces Tenants from Five Apartments

(KNSI) – A fire in downtown Sauk Centre damaged three businesses and left tenants from five apartments homeless late Monday night.

According to Sauk Centre Police Chief Joe Jensen, an officer on routine patrol spotted smoke and flames coming from a two-story building in the 300 block of Main Street South at 11:50. The officer called for the fire department and, with another officer, began evacuating apartments on the second level. The fire damaged El Mezcal Mexican restaurant. Officials didn’t say what the other two businesses were.

The Sauk Centre Fire Department arrived on scene, entered the building, and extinguished the fire. Fire departments from Melrose, Long Prairie, Elrosa, and Osakis assisted on scene.

No injuries were reported. Arrangements were made for all displaced tenants.

The Sauk Centre Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Sauk Centre Area Community Foundation to support those affected. The Community Foundation has activated the Sauk Centre Area Response Fund, with gifts staying local to help displaced residents and impacted businesses. The Chamber says it is working with local nonprofits to assist those displaced from their homes.

Also assisting on scene were the Sauk Centre Ambulance, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Todd County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Sauk Centre Public Utilities, MnDOT, Centre Towing, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

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