'Very Tragic' Start to the Holiday Weekend in Minneapolis

Five people were killed early Wednesday when a public housing high-rise caught fire in Minneapolis, the Star-Tribune reports. Four others were injured in blaze, which started on the 14th floor of a 24-story building in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood around 4am. "Very tragic night at the beginning of a holiday weekend," Fire Chief John Fruetel said at a press conference. There was no word yet on victims, but the 191-unit building, which is run by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority for low-income residents, is at full capacity and most units are occupied by either one or two adults.

WCCO says many residents are seniors or have disabilities, and notes that two of the victims are said to have been elderly. Authorities said one victim was found in a stairwell and later died at a hospital and the others were found in different units on the 14th story. No word yet on the cause of the fire. (More Minneapolis stories.)