Patrick McGovern’s bridge and roof caught fire Friday night, no injuries – Twin Cities

Public safety officials say a Friday night fire that broke out in the attic of the Patrick McGovern Pub on West Seventh Street in St. Paul could have been caused by downed power lines in front of the building after a hit-and-run accident.

Around 11:45 p.m., police in St. Paul responded to reports of a rollover accident near Irvine Avenue and Ramsey Street involving a Honda Ridgeline, said police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster.

The accident knocked down several power lines and set fire to a transformer. Officers had to navigate live wires at the scene and work with fire personnel and Xcel Energy to shut down power and power lines away from the Honda, he said.

Because the driver fled the scene, authorities do not know if the driver, who has not yet been located, was injured.

Authorities believe the crash caused a power line to fall near West Seventh and Chestnut streets near McGovern’s Pub, where a fire broke out shortly after, but say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Shortly before midnight, the fire broke out in the attic space above the third floor of McGovern’s and spread to the roof, said Jamie Smith, a spokesman for the St. Paul. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and a search of the building confirmed that someone inside had escaped. The building has extensive water damage throughout, Smith said.

The early investigation “points to a direct electrical contact from downed power lines,” Smith said, noting that the investigation is ongoing.