St. Paul Apartment Building Demolished Following Devastating Fire

Thick smoke billowed from a four-story building on Monday as St. Paul firefighters climbed an aerial ladder toward the roof of Randolph Terrace Apartments. Fire crews responded to 1853 Randolph Ave. shortly after 8:20 a.m. following reports of smoke coming from the cockloft, the space between the top-floor ceiling and the roof.

The fire made the building unsafe, leaving no one able to collect their belongings before demolition began. Crews tore down the 20-unit apartment building on Tuesday while some displaced residents watched their sentimental objects crushed in the rubble.

Firefighters Rescue Cat from Burning Apartment

Paige Mackedanz moved into her apartment five months ago. She is an assistant director of college admissions at Concordia University in St. Paul, helping students figure out what to do with their lives, but she never imagined she would need help figuring out her own.

St. Paul apartment fire leaves dozens displaced, building to be demolished — FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Mackedanz was at work when the fire started and rushed home immediately after receiving a text from her neighbor. “I just started screaming that my cat was inside and somebody needed to save him. And then, like, the longest five minutes of my life ensued, and then I saw this firefighter coming out in his full garb, carrying my cat in a crate,” she said.

Her cat, Honey, is okay now, but at least three cats died in the building on Monday. Firefighters were able to rescue two pet rabbits named Thea and Dulche.

St. Paul apartment demolished after fire, leaving residents without homes — FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Displaced Residents Watch Demolition

The Department of Safety and Inspections deemed the building unsafe, preventing residents from retrieving possessions. Charlie Cullington had lived in the building since 2020 and watched the demolition while still dressed in his clothes from Monday, spotting a picture of his grandma still hanging on the wall.

“I found myself in this apartment over the years,” he said. “I think my true sense of style and how I want to live and how I want to have a home — I think that’s what I experienced.”

Apartment building to be demolished after fire in St. Paul — FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Cullington does not have renters’ insurance. “It’s one of those things you say you’ll do tomorrow or the next day. You just don’t, and it’s on me,” Cullington said. He was able to save his passport, memory boxes, and other belongings.

Maddy Meyers lived in the building since March and was getting ready for work when she smelled something electrical burning. She left without her purse or laptop, thinking they would only be put out for a couple of hours.

Residents starting from scratch after St. Paul apartment fire — WCCO – CBS Minnesota

Meyers grabbed her cat, Colin, but left behind memories of her cat Oliver, who died two years ago. “I have nothing, but I can start getting some things back,” Meyers said. “I can’t get back the most important items that are never going to be replaceable.”

Insurance Errors Leave Student Without Coverage

Katie Ribas Sanchez, a senior at St. Catherine University, lived in her home for a month and a half and settled into it over the weekend for her first time living on her own.

“I was doing my homework and I lit candles, and I actually danced around my apartment. And I just sat and soaked everything in and I was like, ‘Wow, this is my life one year ago,'” Ribas Sanchez said. “I wished for what I had, and I had it, and then I watched it burn out.”

Ribas Sanchez thought she bought insurance, but discovered on Monday evening that she had not set it up correctly. She also totaled her car last week. She said St. Kate’s opened up a dorm room for her, and she plans to stay there and work while figuring out her next steps.

Family and friends set up fundraisers for tenants including Cullington and Meyers. The investigation into the cause of the fire is not complete. A spokesperson with the St. Paul Fire Department said the investigation was hampered because they couldn’t reenter the building.