NEW ULM – At 4:21 a.m. Wednesday the New Ulm Fire Department was called to the former Marktplatz Mall on a report of heavy smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters located the source of the fire in a former storefront immediately north of the building’s main entrance. The storefront was fully engulfed. It took 90 minutes for firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

The entire Marktplatz Mall sustained smoke damage. Some of the connecting downtown businesses saw smoke infiltration and required ventilation.

The cause of the fire is unknown. No injuries were reported.

The Fire Marshall will investigate the origin of the fire.

New Ulm Fire Department received assistance from Sleepy Eye and Courtland Fire Departments.