By: Staff

A large fire consumed a deli, day care center and auto body shop on University Avenue Southeast early Thursday morning. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the two-alarm fire is under investigation but it seems to have started in the auto body shop, said Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel. Fire crews arrived around midnight and as of 9 a.m. were still extinguishing hotspots, according to a press release from Assistant Chief Cherie Penn. 

The affected building, at 2812 SE University Ave., contains Sabrina Grocery and Deli, Milano Childcare Center and Jeff’s Top Line Auto Body. Police and Fire department officials said the roof of the auto body shop collapsed and at least six cars were destroyed.

The building is insured for about $1,298,000, according to a Meridian Insurance spokesman.

Loud pops could be heard inside the flaming auto shop, which Fruetel attributed to exploding paint cans and other flammable materials.

David Barnhart, who owns the building and two adjacent properties with his son Jeff, said there were flammable materials stored in the shop, but they were stored safely.

Police cleared away spectators and evacuated houses behind the building over concerns a radio tower anchored to the building would collapse. The tower, at least 200 feet tall, later crumpled in on itself and Prospect Park residents were able to return to their homes.

“We were all worried about [the tower] and it started to lean and everybody was backing away and we were moving people and all of a sudden — just like an accordion — it collapsed right into itself," Barnhart said.

Moayid Al Subhi, a University of Minnesota computer science sophomore, said he used to go to Sabrina for Ethiopian food every day with other international students.

“It’s a big loss for international students," he said, "especially Muslim students."

Late Thursday morning, community members and business owners gathered at the scene. Heaps of rubble were still smoking as firefighters tried to move destroyed vehicles — "hot spots" where more fires were likely to start.

Samson Ifonlaja, co-owner of Jeff’s Top Line, said the loss of the building is a big loss for the neighborhood.

“It was more than just these businesses," he said. "It was really a community center.”

Meghan Holden, Roy Aker, Cody Nelson and Tony Wagner contributed to this report.