What is the story of Minneapolis’ deadliest fire?

A view of the ruins with the city's skyline in the distance. (Hennepin County Library) A blast, then a mass of flames Survivors recalled hearing a blast at 5:45 a.m. The boom "was quickly followed by a surge of smoke and flame that swept up through the three floors of the building," the Minneapolis Morning Tribune wrote .

The alarm rang at the fire department 8 minutes later. Police and fire squads rushed to the hotel.

When they arrived, the building was already a "mass of flames" and "fire spurted out of the three front doors," the newspaper reported. First responders observed people jumping out of windows — many to their deaths.

"The more fortunate were dashing through the fiery doorways to the street and alleys. Others stood at second and third story windows, screaming for help and then falling back into the inferno," the Tribune wrote.

A cabbie who was passing by became a hero after he caught children tossed from windows by their parents, according to newspaper accounts.

Firemen worked to put out the deadly blaze at the hotel. (Hennepin County Library) At least 25 people were hospitalized after managing to get out alive.

Initial accounts said that 18 people had died, but a 19th victim later succumbed to injuries in the hospital. One of the dead was not identified until months later.

Firefighters carried the body of a victim out of the building. (Hennepin County Library) Among the victims were a 10-month-old baby who died of smoke inhalation while cuddling a puppy, and an entire family of four — including a teen whose bereft sweetheart had to identify her at the morgue.

Two firefighters were injured. One was struck by falling bricks and the other fell two floors from an icy ladder, struggling to hold on to a woman he was rescuing.

"Firemen working feverishly to save trapped victims resembled grotesque snowmen at times, many being sheathed in icicles as they came down ladders," the Minneapolis Morning Tribune wrote .

What caused the fire? The day after the blaze, city officials looked into whether building violations might have contributed to the catastrophe. The building was initially built to house 16 families, but it had been converted to include more than 80 single rooms and apartments, according to the ward's alderman.

Ultimately, city officials found that the Marlborough Hotel's owners had not violated any of the city's building or fire codes, however.