An early-morning tent fire at a St. Paul homeless encampment this week spread to neighboring tents, displacing multiple people and leaving behind substantial charred property, according to the St. Paul Fire Department and encampment residents.
St. Paul firefighters responded to the encampment behind the old Kmart on Maryland Avenue off Interstate 35E about 3:30 a.m. Monday. No injuries were reported. An occupant of the tent where the fire is believed to have started reported he had a wood-burning grill inside, which he used for heating in the subzero conditions, said Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Smith.
One side of the encampment
The charred remains of several tents and assorted items were visible on one side of the encampment
“Everybody had to escape out of their tents,” said Dee Xiong, who has lived at the encampment for about a year, standing outside the camp’s food and clothing drop-off area on Tuesday. “My boyfriend was wearing one shoe running out the tent door. We didn’t have a phone, so we had to run out … screaming for people in the neighborhood to call 911.”
Six to 10 other tents in the predominantly-Hmong encampment burned, according to camp residents and outreach volunteers from Hmong Haven and the Living Water International Church on Rice Street. On Tuesday, the charred remains of several tents and assorted items were visible on one side of the encampment. Their occupants had already relocated to other camps or found shelter elsewhere, residents said.
Firefighters charred property
“They’re already homeless,” said Pastor Ger Vang, who visited the encampment with food, blankets, sleeping bags and other supplies on Monday and Tuesday. “Now they really have nothing.”
Firefighters found charred property in an area about 30 feet in diameter in and around the tent where the fire likely originated; there were portable grills, propane tanks, a large gas burner and household items, Smith said.
Homeless Assistance Response Team
There are at least 20 people living at the site, which has been active since early 2024, according to St. Paul’s Homeless Assistance Response Team. Dee Xiong said the number was likely closer to 32 residents, and Ger Vang estimated numbers have climbed as high as 50 over the past year.
The city of St. Paul closed a homeless encampment last week at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. At least 40 people lived at the site, which previously had tent fires.
