A Minneapolis man will make his first appearance in Hennepin County Court Wednesday afternoon in connection to a fire that destroyed the Lola on the Lake restaurant.
23-year-old Nouh Omar Elmi is charged with one felony count of Negligent Fires. According to the criminal complaint from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, neighbors called 911 on May 16, 2019 to report Lola on the Lake at Bde Maka Ska was on fire. When firefighters arrived, they noticed three trash cans next to the building. The roof above the trash cans was burned and sagging. Officials determined the blaze originated behind the three trash cans, based on the movement of the fire.