In Re Norwest Bank Fire Cases

OPINION

CRIPPEN, Judge.

Appellants challenge the trial court’s grant of summary judgment, in which the trial court found, as a matter of law, that respondents did not assume a duty to protect third persons or their things from physical harm. We affirm.

FACTS

On November 25, 1982, a fire of undetermined cause started in or around the partially demolished Donaldson’s Department Store in downtown Minneapolis. The fire spread to the adjoining property, where it caused considerable damage to the Northwestern National Bank Building.

At the time of the fire, appellant City of Minneapolis owned the…