1 person unaccounted for in Victoria neighborhood fire, mayor says

The mayor of Victoria, Minnesota, says one person is unaccounted for in a fire Tuesday morning that significantly damaged two homes.

Mayor Debra McMillan said in a news conference crews were called to Carriage and Red Fox drives around 6:30 a.m. on a report of a deck fire.

The fire spread to a neighboring home, McMillan said, and residents of 32 townhome units nearby were evacuated out of precaution. A total of 10 area fire departments were called to the scene to help.

"This is a beautiful example of the mutual aid agreement that we have with many of our neighboring fire departments," McMillan said. "They come when we call, and we appreciate that so much."

The mayor says the fires are now contained, and crews are still at the scene to monitor for hot spots.

One of the two homes that were significantly damaged is considered a total loss, McMillan said, while a third home just sustained siding damage.

"We are a small close-knit community, so it's devastating," McMillan said. "We're praying for all those families and those neighbors."

Officials are asking people to stay clear of the area of Red Fox Drive off Highway 11/Victoria Drive until further notice.

The fire is near Victoria Elementary School, with officials in the Eastern Carver County Schools district asking parents to "access the building from the neighborhoods to the south and west" when dropping off their students. School is still in session.

Victoria is about 30 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

This story will be updated.