St. Paul Apartment Fire: Randolph Terrace Roof Collapses

ST. PAUL, Minnesota — November 10, 2026. A fire at Randolph Terrace Apartments on Monday, November 9 forced people out of a 20-unit building on Randolph Avenue near Fairview Avenue and St. Catherine University. The building's roof collapsed, firefighters switched to defensive operations, neighboring properties were evacuated and the American Red Cross was called to assist displaced residents.

Key facts: Location: 1800 block of Randolph Avenue, St. Paul. Building: 20 apartments. Incident: November 9, 2026. Reported outcome: roof collapse and evacuations; no injuries reported in the initial department updates. Cause: not publicly determined in the sources reviewed.

Where did the St. Paul apartment fire happen?

The fire struck Randolph Terrace Apartments in the Macalester-Groveland area, west of the Randolph Avenue and Fairview Avenue South intersection. The building is near St. Catherine University, but reporting does not indicate that any university building caught fire.

St. Paul Fire Department updates reported that crews searched the building and evacuated residents as the fire spread through the upper part of the structure. City records described a three-story building with a garden level and 20 apartment units, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

Why did the apartment roof collapse?

Firefighters encountered a major fire involving the attic and roof. As the roof structure failed, crews were withdrawn from the interior and directed to operate defensively. The decision reduced exposure to falling debris and other structural hazards.

A roof collapse during a fire can result from heat-weakened structural elements, loss of support and the weight of damaged materials or accumulated water. Those are general fire-dynamics possibilities, not an official engineering finding about this building. The precise failure mechanism has not been released.

Were residents or firefighters injured?

Authorities reported no injuries in the initial updates. The first search evacuated the building, and neighboring structures were also cleared as a precaution. The Red Cross was called to help residents whose homes became inaccessible or unsafe. The number of people ultimately displaced was not precisely established in the early department update, although later local television coverage reported dozens were affected.

What did firefighters do at the scene?

Fire crews used aerial ladders to reach the roof area while thick smoke billowed overhead. After a collapse, officials ordered defensive operations—attacking the fire from safer exterior positions rather than continuing an interior assault beneath a compromised roof.

Police assisted with traffic control, and city Department of Safety and Inspections personnel were present to assess structural stability. St. Paul Regional Water was informed of the significant water use associated with firefighting, according to FOX 9.

Will Randolph Terrace Apartments be demolished?

A FOX 9 television report posted on the evening of November 9 described the building as scheduled for demolition. That later reporting indicates the damage went beyond a routine roof repair, although readers should rely on city and property-management notices for definitive demolition schedules and resident access arrangements.

What caused the Randolph Avenue fire?

At the time of the first public fire department reports, no confirmed cause had been released. It would be premature to attribute the blaze to electrical work, heating, cooking or any other ignition source. Investigators and building inspectors would need to assess the fire's origin and structural condition.

Why this fire matters for apartment-building safety

Multiunit residential fires pose additional risks because smoke can spread through corridors, concealed attic spaces and shared construction. Residents should know at least two ways out when available, keep common exits clear, close doors behind them during escape when safe, and never reenter a burning building to retrieve belongings.

For responding firefighters, this fire highlights how changing roof conditions affect interior search, accountability, collapse-zone decisions and aerial-stream placement. The transition from interior to exterior attack is a tactical safety decision driven by conditions, not an indication that firefighting stopped.

Video reports from the scene

FOX 9 published a news video about the roof collapse, displaced residents and reported demolition plans. CBS Minnesota also published a short video report from the fire. These are links to news-provider video pages, not verified YouTube embed IDs.

Frequently asked questions

Where was the St. Paul fire?

At Randolph Terrace Apartments, a 20-unit building on the 1800 block of Randolph Avenue near Fairview Avenue South.

Did the roof collapse?

Yes. Firefighters reported roof collapse and shifted to defensive operations.

Was anyone hurt?

The first public updates reported no injuries. Residents were evacuated, including those in nearby buildings.

What started the apartment fire?

The cause had not been publicly confirmed in the reporting used for this article.

Sources and official updates

Editorial note: This report reflects available reporting as of November 10, 2026. Thumbnail is a generated illustration, not a photograph of Randolph Terrace Apartments.