Pioneer Endicott building in downtown St. Paul catches fire

An elevator equipment room on the roof of the historic Pioneer Endicott building in downtown St. Paul started on fire Tuesday.

Smoke started billowing from the top of the building around 12:15 p.m. and flames were visible. But the fire was extinguished within half an hour. The 127-year-old building, which was recently restored, contains 234 apartments.

"The fire damaged a part of the roof structure and there was some water damage to the building's interior," Mike Zipko, a representative for Pioneer Endicott Buildings, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, one firefighter apparently suffered a back injury while on scene. All of the residents were able to safely evacuate the building."

Officials did not know what started the fire and were investigating the cause, St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard, the department's spokesman, said Tuesday afternoon.

The 16th floor of the building was evacuated as crews fought the fire and put out remaining hot spots, he said. An email from building management sent at 4:35 p.m. said all floors were reopened to residents. The Pioneer elevators were closed for inspection and repairs, the email stated.

Putting out a fire on top of a high rise is very labor-intensive Zaccard said, and about 30 staff members were there fighting the flames, bringing equipment to the top of the building and blocking off traffic near Pioneer Endicott, which is on 4th Street between Jackson and Robert streets.

High winds at the top of the building fanned the flames, Zaccard said, noting that "It was a very wind-driven fire."