Firefighters battled a massive fire throughout the day on Tuesday, Feb. 24 that destroyed part of downtown Alexandria in western Minnesota and forced the evacuation of about two dozen residents.

More than 100 firefighters from multiple departments worked to put out the fire.

About 20 people who live above the businesses have been displaced by the fire, but no injuries have been reported.

In world news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday warned the American public to prepare for an outbreak of the coronavirus, which has spawned more than 80,000 cases around the world but relatively few so far in the U.S.

President Donald Trump said he’ll discuss the coronavirus threat at a White House news conference on Wednesday, just one day after he sought to minimize fears of the virus spreading widely across the U.S.

Public Safety notified the St. Thomas community about a person in a car following a female student and verbally harassing her.

The student was walking near Finn Street and Summit Avenue when the car slammed on its breaks, rolled down the driver’s side window and tried to engage the student in conversation.

St. Thomas Public Safety also recently notified the St. Thomas community about seven robberies and thefts reported on campus.

According to Public Safety St. Paul Campus Manager Zachary Dubois, the suspect is not affiliated with the university.

The St. Paul police department is involved in the investigation.

Ellie Lehto can be reached at leht2068@stthomas.edu.