Family of Five Displaced After Three-Alarm House Fire in Apple Valley
Published: September 22, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A family of five was displaced after an early-morning house fire in Apple Valley escalated into a three-alarm response Tuesday, bringing firefighters from multiple departments to the scene.
Apple Valley Fire, Apple Valley Police and Allina Health EMS were initially dispatched around 4:25 a.m. on September 22, 2026, to a reported residential structure fire in the 200 block of Elm Drive. According to the Apple Valley Fire Department, the homeowner called 911 after being awakened by a smoke alarm and discovering a fire in the basement of the split-level, single-family home.
Everyone inside evacuated on their own before firefighters arrived.
Fire Quickly Escalates to Third Alarm
Responding crews arrived around 4:30 a.m. and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the home. The incident was quickly upgraded to a second alarm around 4:30 a.m. as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Crews initially attacked the fire from the exterior before transitioning to an interior operation. As additional resources were needed, the fire was upgraded to a third alarm at approximately 4:41 a.m., bringing mutual aid from the Lakeville and Rosemount fire departments.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control by approximately 5:14 a.m., according to Apple Valley Fire. Crews continued working at the property afterward, and the fire was officially marked out at 6:05 a.m.
Residents Evaluated for Smoke Inhalation
Allina Health EMS evaluated three residents for smoke inhalation after the fire. None of them required transportation to a hospital. One firefighter also suffered a muscle strain while extinguishing the fire.
The home sustained extensive damage and has been deemed uninhabitable. Five people have been displaced, and the American Red Cross is assisting the family.
Cause Remains Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not released additional information about where or how it started beyond the homeowner discovering it in the basement.
Apple Valley Fire reminds residents of the importance of working smoke alarms, noting that the homeowner was awakened by an alarm before discovering the fire. The department recommends residents test their smoke alarms monthly and make sure everyone in their household has a plan for escaping during a fire. With the first day of Fall beginning this evening, it’s a great time to check your smoke alarms and change your batteries. It is recommended that you change your smoke alarm batteries twice a year, or every six months (the beginning of Fall and Spring are the common times).
No additional information regarding the cause of the fire was immediately available. Limitless Media will provide additional information if it becomes available.
The rough location where the fire occurred in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Written by: Will Wight
