Minot fire officials say a fire that destroyed two apartment buildings under construction caused about $12 million in damage.
The fire was reported early in the morning at the Chateau Apartment complex near the Arrowhead shopping center.
Minot fire chief C. J. Craven says the original complex was destroyed in the 2011 Souris River flood.
"The buildings have been rebuilt since the flood," said Craven. "In the process of rebuilding it, there was a fire there (in 2012), and the building was burned to the ground."
Minot resident Stephen Podrygula saw the blaze from his home on Minot's north hill.
"The flames were at least 30 to 50 feet in the air," said Podrygula. "They were past the top of the new elevator tower built of cinder block."
One 15-unit building was supposed to open in February. A second 57-unit building was on track to open next summer.
The buildings were owned by Investors Real Estate Trust of Minot. The trust has apartments in Minot, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Jamestown. It is opening another apartment building in Williston next summer.
The cause has not yet been determined.
Great Plains Examiner reporter Dale Wetzel contributed to this report.
