Cars on fire at University of Minnesota parking ramp

Three cars have caught fire on a University of Minnesota parking ramp.

University spokesman Steve Henneberry said the fire occurred around noon on the sixth floor of a ramp on Delaware Street between Walnut and Harvard streets.

The ramp serves the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

Henneberry said around 1 p.m. that the fire was under control, and that no one was injured.

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At that time, he said, the ramp was closed to traffic and pedestrians, and "people can't leave, either."

Update: Henneberry says the ramp reopened around 1:30 p.m.

He had few details on the circumstances behind the fire, and said the Minneapolis Fire Department and campus police are investigating.

Henneberry said authorities received no reports of any explosions.

An update from MPR News reporter Liala Helal:

Firefighters say it appeared to have started from the engine compartment of the middle vehicle, according to a statement from Minneapolis Fire Department Assistant Chief Charles Brynteson.

Firefighters attacked the fire for about half an hour using the ramp standpipe system, but the fight was hampered by the cold and heavy smoke conditions, causing the fire to spread to the two surrounding cars.

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