In Minneapolis, the long, cold winter is also the busiest time for house fires. Furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces and chimneys work hard for months, and extreme cold can make firefighting and cleanup harder, as water freezes on contact.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent fire damage restoration provider that serves the Minneapolis area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Fire risks in Minneapolis
Heating equipment
Furnaces, space heaters and wood stoves run for months, and heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires in cold climates.
Chimneys and fireplaces
Creosote builds up in chimneys that are used often, and a chimney fire can spread into the walls and attic.
Extreme cold
In deep cold, water used to fight a fire can freeze inside the home, adding ice damage to smoke and fire damage.
Cooking and holidays
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, and holiday decorations add to the risk in winter.
Areas across Minneapolis
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Minneapolis, including neighborhoods such as Uptown, Northeast, Longfellow, Nokomis, Linden Hills, North Loop and Powderhorn, and in nearby cities such as St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Roseville and Brooklyn Park.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Minneapolis. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Minneapolis, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the City of Minneapolis. Homes in other cities, such as St. Paul, Bloomington or Edina, follow the rules of that city or county.
In Minnesota, residential building contractors and remodelers must be licensed by the Department of Labor and Industry, and you can check a license online.
Seasonal risks in Minneapolis
Do not go back inside after a fire until the fire department says it is safe. If you smell gas or see smoke, leave and call 911.
- Winter: heating equipment, fireplaces and space heaters.
- Holidays: cooking, candles and decorations.
- Spring: a good time for chimney cleaning and inspections.
- All year: cooking and dryers are common causes.
Be prepared
- Have your furnace inspected every fall
- Have chimneys cleaned and inspected every year if you use them
- Keep space heaters three feet from anything that can burn
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month
- Clean the dryer lint trap after every load
Learn more before you call
Our main fire damage restoration guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Minneapolis just as it does everywhere else.
Minneapolis questions
Why is there ice damage after a winter fire?
Firefighting water can freeze in the cold, soaking and then freezing floors, walls and belongings. It needs to be thawed and dried properly.
Does insurance cover a chimney fire?
Damage from an accidental chimney fire is usually covered. Routine chimney maintenance is not.
Do contractors need a license in Minnesota?
Residential building contractors and remodelers must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Check before hiring.
Does Sifixit have an office in Minneapolis?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Minneapolis area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.