Authorities are investigating a fire that was intentionally set Saturday in the hallway of a building downtown in Albert Lea.

The fire, at 114 1/2 S. Broadway, was reported at 3:28 p.m. Saturday, according to the Albert Lea Fire Department. A box of items was reportedly placed in a hallway and lit on fire outside one of the apartments on the second floor of the building. It was quickly extinguished when firefighters arrived, according to a press release.

Fire crews ventilated the building, and the only damage to the structure was to the immediate area outside of the apartment and some smoke on the walls in the hallway stairwell.

Damage was estimated at $300.

The release stated the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office was brought in to assist with the investigation because of the suspicious nature of the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Albert Lea Fire Department at 507-377-4340.

 

See what happened over the weekend in the PM report here.