Alexandria business owners in shock after massive downtown fire

Some vow to rebuild after early-morning blaze guts four historic buildings.

February 26, 2020 at 2:39PM

Carlette "Charlie" Vernlund spent more than $20,000 over the winter to put a new roof on her 1890s building, add a fresh coat of paint inside and stock up on artwork, ceramics and home decor for the summer.

On Tuesday morning, as the sun rose over Alexandria, Minn., she watched it all go up in smoke.

"I have to go to the bank and find a way to pay my employees for the week," said Vernlund, owner of Charlie's Bazaar. "My checkbook was in there."

A major fire tore through downtown Alexandria on Tuesday, destroying four historic buildings and forcing the evacuation of about two dozen residents who lived above stores.

About 120 firefighters from Alexandria and surrounding communities were on the scene, said Sarah Stadtherr, a city spokeswoman.

The fire was reported about 4:30 a.m. Emergency crews responded and evacuated the residents, who lived on the second floors of the buildings. No deaths or injuries have been reported, according to Stadtherr.

"All these buildings have tenants above. They are all out and safe, but everything they have is completely destroyed," said Amy Lesnar, owner of the Creative Touch Boutique, a clothing and gift shop. "They were literally woken up and evacuated."

The American Red Cross was on the scene to assist the displaced residents.

Firefighters demolished the four buildings involved in the fire in an effort to stop the spread of the blaze. RM Tattoo, Raapers Eatery & Ale, Charlie's Bazaar and Little Darlings Children's Boutique, all in the 500 block of Broadway, fell victim to backhoes.

"These buildings are so old," Lesnar said. "It's rich history in downtown. They've been theaters, they've been everything."

The Runestone Museum, located three to four blocks from the fire, was not affected by the blaze.

Pam Botker is co-owner of Creative Touch and president of the city's Downtown Merchants Association. She said her business and others not directly affected by the fire have suffered significant smoke damage.

"We have to gut our store and rebuild," Botker said. "We'll all help each other out. We've been talking and whatever we have to do to rebuild, we'll do that."

Fire investigators are still attempting to pinpoint the cause and starting point of the fire.

Located in one of Minnesota's lake areas about 140 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, Alexandria is an important regional shopping destination, and merchants also rely heavily on seasonal trade.

"Our first goal is to meet with the business owners and let them know that the city and staff are here to support whatever their needs are," Stadtherr said. "As we watched and cried, we said we can foresee this being rebuilt and going forward into the future."

Stadtherr added that city firefighters, for the first time, used a drone with thermal imaging, allowing them to locate hot spots and direct their hoses more effectively.

Vernlund has owned Charlie's Bazaar for 20 years. In its life, the historic building had housed a shoe store, a drugstore and several other businesses.

"We'll be meeting with our insurance guy tomorrow, and we'll know more about what the possibilities are," she said. "It's kind of shocking, and I guess all of us are in a little bit of shock.

"But God has his plans for us."

A major fire tore through downtown Alexandria, Minn., Tuesday morning. About 120 firefighters from Alexandria and surrounding communities were on the scene.
A major fire tore through downtown Alexandria, Minn., Tuesday morning. About 120 firefighters from Alexandria and surrounding communities were on the scene. (Marci Schmitt/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Firefighters fought a fire Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 that destroyed several buildings in downtown Alexandria.
Firefighters fought a fire Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 that destroyed several buildings in downtown Alexandria. (Marci Schmitt — Douglas County (Minn.) Emergency Management via AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Firefighters in Alexandria pulled down burning buildings to keep a major downtown fire from spreading. ORG XMIT: -3XMQAXhD4HyzSmDzGi8
Firefighters in Alexandria pulled down burning buildings to keep a major downtown fire from spreading. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
More than 120 area fiefighters battled a blaze in downtown Alexandria that destroyed four historic buildings. ORG XMIT: hVBP4eMDGCO8NOurvqGG
More than 120 area fiefighters battled a blaze in downtown Alexandria that destroyed four historic buildings. ORG XMIT: hVBP4eMDGCO8NOurvqGG (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
This photo provided by Douglas County (Minn.) Emergency Management in Alexandria, Minn., shows firefighters fighting a fire Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 that destroyed several buildings in downtown Alexandria. (Julie Anderson/Douglas County Emergency Management via AP) ORG XMIT: CER206
This photo provided by Douglas County (Minn.) Emergency Management in Alexandria, Minn., shows firefighters fighting a fire Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 that destroyed several buildings in downtown Alexandria. (Julie Anderson/Douglas County Emergency Management via AP) ORG XMIT: CER206 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

John Reinan

Reporter

John Reinan is a news reporter covering Greater Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. For the Star Tribune, he's also covered the western Twin Cities suburbs, as well as marketing, advertising and consumer news. He's been a reporter for more than 20 years and also did a stint at a marketing agency.

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