Lake Minnetonka Firefighters Battle Friday Flames, Sub-Zero Temps

Firefighters battled both flames and sub-zero temperatures this morning in the northern Lake Minnetonka area.

The first fire was reported around 6:30 a.m. on the 4000 block of North Arm Drive in Minnetrista. Mound firefighters, along with those from St. Bonifacius, were able to tamp down the flames quickly—although traffic near the intersection of North Arm Drive and County Road 19 was slowed during the first part of the rush hour. Damage was contained to one area of the residence, and no injuries were reported. Exactly what caused the fire was not immediately clear.

A second fire was reported just before 11 a.m. on the 6000 block of Game Farm Road in Mound. Firefighters at the scene said they had been at the residence a few days earlier for a report of fire and were back this morning after several hot spots flared up. The home is currently under renovation. No injuries or significant damage to the structure was reported.

Temperatures Friday morning were in double digit negatives, and wind chills made air temperatures feel like more -20 degrees in some areas. Firefighters said this morning's extreme cold has slowed operations and caused water to freeze—creating potentially dangerous ice slicks.