Minneapolis firefighters have successfully contained a significant fire that broke out at a homeless encampment on the 1100 block of E. 28th Street on Thursday morning. The fire sent a plume of smoke over the city's south side, with Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner reporting that the bulk of the fire has been knocked down. Two individuals were treated on site for non-life threatening injuries, as confirmed by the city of Minneapolis on social media.

Fire Chief Tyner stated that evacuations of the encampment and nearby homes were underway. Metro Transit buses were dispatched to provide heated shelter for the evacuees. The origin and start time of the fire remain unknown, but it was upgraded to a second alarm due to the increased difficulty in containment.

Resident Ashley Jensen, who lives near the encampment, shared a photo of the large blaze, noting that the fire spread rapidly, causing panic among residents. Jensen reported hearing several explosions before evacuating, as flames melted parts of her house's exterior. Some individuals from the encampment declined to comment on the incident.

A news briefing at the site is scheduled for 3 p.m., with further updates expected on the situation.