A burglary alarm at 1 Water Street triggered a response at 1:33 a.m. on May 6, 2026, followed by Excelsior Fire District dispatch four minutes later. The subsequent fire prompted a detailed review by the city council, which identified a major concern: the facility lacked fire detection and suppression systems that could have contained or prevented the blaze.

Investigators from the Hennepin County Fire Investigation Team could not definitively determine the fire's cause, though they cannot rule out an improperly disposed cigarette. The review highlighted that thermal imaging cameras helped firefighters identify failing roof joists before they collapsed, preventing potential casualties among emergency responders.

Despite the fire's scale, the city's emergency response was largely successful. Thirteen agencies coordinated mutual aid efforts effectively, demonstrating strong interagency cooperation during the crisis. However, the After Action Review—a standard assessment following major incidents—identified operational improvements needed going forward, particularly in how firefighters use rehabilitation areas and communicate structural updates via radio.

The council's examination of the incident underscores vulnerabilities in fire safety infrastructure at the port facility and points to communication gaps that could be addressed in future emergency responses. No votes or formal resolutions were recorded during this meeting, suggesting the review was informational rather than decision-making in nature. The findings will likely inform future safety recommendations for the facility and emergency response protocols across the city.