Multiple Fires Keep South Metro Fire Departments Busy Friday Night
Published: July 24, 2026
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA - Firefighters from across the south metro were kept exceptionally busy Friday night, July 24, 2026, as they responded to two separate second-alarm house fires in Lakeville and Apple Valley, along with a fully engulfed vehicle fire in Burnsville, all within a span of roughly two hours.
The series of incidents required mutual aid between multiple fire departments, with crews leaving one active fire scene to respond directly to another major emergency.
Fully Involved Garage Fire Escalates to Second Alarm in Lakeville
The evening began shortly after 9:00 p.m., when the Lakeville Fire Department, Apple Valley Fire Department, and Lakeville Police Department were dispatched to the 17000 block of Fairmeadow Way for reports of a garage fire.
By 9:04 p.m., responding crews confirmed the incident was a working structure fire with active flames, with the garage reported to be fully involved.
When the Apple Valley Fire Chief arrived on scene at approximately 9:08 p.m., they confirmed the severity of the blaze and requested the incident be upgraded to a second-alarm fire, bringing in additional mutual aid from the Farmington Fire Department and additional Apple Valley Fire resources. Firefighters initially mounted an offensive attack, entering the structure in an effort to contain the fire. However, conditions rapidly deteriorated.
At approximately 9:25 p.m., command ordered all crews to transition to a defensive strategy after the garage roof began showing signs of collapse. Firefighters exited the structure and continued battling the blaze from outside. The fire was reported under control around 10:52 p.m., with crews focusing on extinguishing remaining hot spots. By 11:04 p.m., the fire was officially declared extinguished.
Both Lakeville Police officers and the Lakeville Fire Chief confirmed that everyone inside the home escaped safely, and no injuries have been reported. Fire units remained on scene through the night, with the last suppression crews clearing shortly after midnight while a fire inspector remained behind to investigate the cause.
Officials have not yet released information regarding what sparked the fire or the extent of damage to the home.
Photos Provided by: Twin Cities Fireground/Facebook
Burnsville Fire Responds to Fully Engulfed Vehicle
While firefighters were still battling the Lakeville house fire, another emergency was called out for a vehicle fire. At approximately 9:53 p.m., the Burnsville Fire Department was dispatched to William Byrne Elementary School in the 11000 block of River Hills Drive for reports of a fully engulfed abandoned vehicle burning in the middle of the parking lot.
Limited information has been released regarding that incident, and it is unknown what caused the vehicle fire.
Apple Valley House Fire Quickly Upgraded to Second Alarm
Just over an hour after the Lakeville fire began, firefighters were dispatched to yet another structure fire in the south metro. At approximately 10:50 p.m., the Apple Valley Fire Department and Apple Valley Police Department responded to the 800 block of Jonathan Drive for reports of a house fire.
Initial reports indicated the fire started on the exterior near the front of the home and garage before rapidly spreading into the residence and eventually through the roof. The incident was upgraded to a second-alarm response at approximately 10:57 p.m., prompting mutual aid requests from the Rosemount Fire Department and Burnsville Fire Department.
As the Lakeville fire was winding down, Apple Valley fire crews began leaving the Fairmeadow Way scene around 11:02 p.m. and responded directly to assist at the Apple Valley house fire.
As of Saturday afternoon, officials had not released information regarding whether anyone was injured or the extent of damage to the Apple Valley home.
Mutual Aid Played Critical Role
The busy evening highlighted the importance of mutual aid agreements between south metro fire departments.
With two house fires occurring within less than two hours of each other, departments from Lakeville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Burnsville, and Rosemount worked together to ensure adequate staffing and resources remained available for both emergencies while maintaining fire protection coverage for surrounding communities.
Investigations Continue
The causes of both structure fires remain under investigation. Limitless Media has reached out to Lakeville and Apple Valley officials for additional information regarding both incidents, including the causes, whether any injuries were reported, and the extent of damage to the homes. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Written by: Will Wight
