4 people dead, 2 unaccounted for after fire in apartments above pub in south Minneapolis

4 dead, 2 unaccounted for in Minneapolis fire

MINNEAPOLIS — Four people died and at least two remain unaccounted for Friday after a fire swept through a two-story building in Minneapolis that included several apartments and an Irish pub, authorities said.

One woman died early Friday. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said three more bodies were recovered Friday afternoon, including two children. None of the dead or missing were identified.

Firefighters said the blaze broke out about 6 a.m. in the building, which includes a bar was on the first floor and apartments on the second floor.

Firefighters said they arrived to find heavy flames and smoke coming out of the building. By Friday afternoon, the roof had collapsed and firefighters were still extinguishing flare ups.

Rosie Bell, 21, a bartender and server at McMahon’s Pub, said she was worried about another bartender who lived above the pub and was missing.

“He’s not going to be found. They are going to find a body and we’re going to have a funeral,” said Bell, who was crying as her friends consoled her outside the building.

The Twin Cities chapter of the American Red Cross was helping eight adults and five children displaced by the fire, said spokeswoman Carrie Carlson. She said the group would put them up in a hotel for the weekend, help them replace medications and provide food and clothing.

Dave Olson, 40, said he lived in the neighborhood and came by to see what was left of the building.

“The really horrible part is that there are people missing. A bar can be rebuilt,” Olson said.

Associated Press writers Chris Williams contributed to this report from Minneapolis and Brian Bakst contributed from St. Paul.