5-alarm fire damages apartment complex - Second update

The New Prague Fire Department and a number of other area departments are at the scene of a fire at the Maple Acres Apartments, located just south of New Prague in Lanesburgh Township. 
Firefighters were called to the scene at 1:33 p.m. Monday, May 8, to the 12-unit apartment building, on Maple Lane. A fire had broken out on the north side of the building. 
“I work nights and was asleep on the couch,” said Ryan Lehman, a resident in the building. “I heard some noises, it sounded like popping, like it was hail. I was a little startled because I didn’t think it was supposed to storm." 
Then, Lehman said he heard the fire alarm and looked out the window. "I opened the door and there was lots of smoke in the hall, so I closed it and went out the patio,” said Lehman, whose apartment is on the first floor.”
There were no reported injuries. Lehman said he is one of the few who work nights and was in the building. 
“I talked to one guy who lives on the top floor. He said he looked out the window and saw flames on the roof.”
New Prague received mutual aid from Montgomery, Jordan, Elko New Market, Prior Lake, Belle Plaine and Shakopee. Firefighters were still on the scene battling the blaze shortly after 3 p.m., when crews from Le Center and the Mdewakanton Sioux Community were arriving to assist. 
Several residents speculated there may have been injuries since an air ambulance left Mayo Clinic Health System hospital in New Prague during the time of the fire. That was reportedly from a separate, unrelated medical incident. 
Check back at newpraguetimes.com for updates. 

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