Fire Breaks Out On Roof Of St. Paul's 1st Skyscraper; Firefighter Injured

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A firefighter suffered a back injury while fighting a blaze on the roof of downtown St. Paul's historic Pioneer Endicott Building Tuesday afternoon.

The St. Paul Fire Department said the fire was reported just after 12 p.m. at the building on 4th Street East and Robert Street North.

High winds made it difficult for crews to battle the fire. Investigators say it started in an elevator equipment room on the top level of the 16-floor building. That floor was evacuated during the fight.

Crews were putting out hot spots well into the 2 p.m. hour.

A firefighter was taken to Regions Hospital for a back injury, but the cause of the injury was not specified.

The high rise, built in 1889, was St. Paul's first skyscraper.