The first fire was reported at an encampment at East Lake Street and Columbus Avenue at 1:45 p.m. Firefighters arrived and found a small rubbish fire that was deemed unsafe and a propane tank within the fire that had a pressure relief valve venting, causing potential danger for rupturing or exploding.

A large fire destroyed an encampment in south Minneapolis on Monday afternoon, causing propane tanks to explode and sending a plume of smoke above the city. There were no reports of injuries.

It’s the second time in less than a month that a fire has broken out at a south Minneapolis encampment. Minneapolis Fire responded to a fire on Dec. 10 at an encampment on the 2400 block of 15th Ave. S. after receiving reports of exploding propane tanks.