More than 1,500 residents of the Skyline Tower apartment complex in St. Paul were evacuated on Sunday after a fire on the 12th floor caused major electrical damage and a full power outage, leaving the high-rise unsafe to occupy. The 25-story building, located on St. Anthony Avenue near Interstate 94, has 504 apartments and is managed by CommonBond Communities, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing to low-income families.
According to city officials, firefighters were called to the scene at around 12:23 a.m. after fire alarms went off throughout the building. They quickly located and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading beyond the 12th floor. Building management was notified soon after and arrived to assist emergency responders. While the fire itself was contained, it triggered a chain of technical failures that made the situation much worse.
Shortly after the flames were put out, a high-capacity electrical conductor on the 12th floor malfunctioned. This failure activated the building’s sprinkler systems on the 12th, 13th, and 14th floors, flooding parts of the tower and causing a complete power outage. The loss of electricity shut down essential systems, including heat, water, fire alarms, and elevators, leaving the building uninhabitable.
With no power or functioning fire protection systems, the City of St. Paul’s Department of Safety and Inspections revoked the building’s certificate of occupancy under its emergency procedures. This meant everyone had to leave immediately. In response, city officials, CommonBond staff, and several partner organizations — including the Salvation Army and Metro Transit — worked through the night to safely evacuate all residents. The process required a detailed, floor-by-floor plan to ensure that every person, including elderly and disabled tenants, could leave the building safely.
The evacuation was particularly challenging because Skyline Tower is one of the city’s largest residential buildings and home to a diverse community of families and individuals. City officials confirmed that all residents were provided temporary lodging on Sunday night. The city coordinated with nearby shelters and community organizations to make sure everyone had access to food, warmth, and a place to stay while the building remains closed.
As of Monday morning, it was still unclear how long residents will be displaced. City officials said that crews were assessing the extent of the electrical damage and working with engineers and building inspectors to determine when power, water, and safety systems could be fully restored. Repairs are expected to take some time, given the scope of the damage and the need to ensure the building meets all safety requirements before anyone can return.
In a public statement, the City of St. Paul said it was continuing to work closely with CommonBond Communities to support the residents and oversee recovery efforts. “The city continues to coordinate closely with building management to implement their active emergency management plan and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents,” the statement read.
Skyline Tower, which has long been a key source of affordable housing in St. Paul, will remain closed until city inspectors confirm that all systems are safe to operate again. In the meantime, local agencies and community groups have stepped in to assist affected families with temporary housing, basic needs, and updates on the next steps. The city has also pledged ongoing communication with residents to keep them informed about restoration efforts and plans for returning home.
