Monday morning started like any other for Maddy. She was getting ready for work when she began noticing a smell that she believed was an electrical fire. Shortly afterward, the hallway fire alarms began sounding. Unfortunately, the alarms inside the individual apartment units never went off, leaving residents with even less warning.

Maddy was able to get herself and Colin out of the building with only a few belongings. Initially, there was just smoke, but things escalated quickly as flames became visible outside.

Firefighters responded to the 20-unit apartment building on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul, where they discovered the fire had spread throughout the attic and third floor. The location and severity of the fire made it extremely difficult to access and extinguish. As portions of the roof began collapsing and structural concerns grew, firefighters were forced to battle the flames from outside. Two neighboring buildings were also evacuated as a precaution.

At first, we held onto hope that Maddy and Colin’s apartment, located two floors below where the fire was concentrated and on the opposite side of the building, might have survived with limited water damage. Unfortunately, the fire was too extensive. With the building deemed structurally unsafe, no residents were allowed back inside, and the entire building was scheduled for demolition.

Maddy has now lost nearly everything she owned. Not just furniture, clothing, and everyday necessities, but also sentimental belongings, personal memories, and irreplaceable pieces of her life that can never truly be replaced. In a matter of hours, what was once their home and everything they had worked for was gone.

There are also serious concerns surrounding reports that electrical and wiring issues had been brought to building management’s attention by a third-floor resident before the fire. Those concerns were reportedly dismissed. There have been ongoing frustrations with maintenance delays and communication from management, leaving residents with many unanswered questions as they try to process what happened.

Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, and no injuries have been reported. While we are incredibly grateful that lives were spared, the emotional and financial impact of losing an entire home is overwhelming.

Right now, Maddy and Colin are facing the difficult task of starting over from scratch. Donations will help provide immediate necessities, clothing, personal items, temporary living expenses, and the many unexpected costs that come with suddenly losing your home and nearly everything inside it.

If you know Maddy, you know how much she means to the people around her. No one should have to experience something like this, and while we can’t replace the things she has lost, we can come together to help ease the burden and remind her that she isn’t facing this alone.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, makes a difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser is just as appreciated.

Thank you for showing Maddy and Colin the love, kindness, and support they need during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️