05/17/2026
At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Faribault Fire Department, Faribault Police Department, and North Memorial Health Ambulance Service were dispatched to a report of closet on fire at 521 Eighth Street NW in Faribault. The caller stated that everyone is out of the house and there is a lot of smoke.
Upon responders’ arrival, the entire back of the home was on fire.
There were also two cars fully engulfed in flames behind the home. Firefighters attacked the fire from the interior and the exterior of the home simultaneously. The garage behind the home and the houses on both sides of the home were showing signs of heating as the siding was melting. The fire was knocked down, and an extensive overhaul operation began.
Xcel Energy crews removed the downed power line, and the gas to the home was shut off by firefighters. North Ambulance crews assisted the homeowner who sustained some burns to his face but did not want to be transported to the hospital. Firefighters cleared the scene at 1:00 p.m.
The homeowner was at home and outside at the time of the fire and was able to point out the location of the first sign of smoke.
There was no obvious cause, so the State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted to assist with the investigation which is on-going.
“This fire defines the volatility of conditions being just right for fire spread,” said Fire Chief Dustin Dienst. “The weather conditions and the construction material enhanced the ability for this fire to grow rapidly. Thankfully there were no major injuries to the homeowner or firefighters.”
