A quiet stretch of rural Otter Tail County turned tragic before dawn Monday when a house fire northwest of Wadena left a man dead and a home destroyed. Firefighters discovered the man inside the burning residence, which authorities later declared a total loss. Investigators say they do not suspect foul play and have asked the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office to help sort out what happened.
How crews found the scene
According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a call about a structure fire in the 37000 block of County Highway 75 just before 4 a.m. on March 9. Crews arriving at the rural property found the house already engulfed in flames and located a deceased man inside, according to Valley News Live.
Response and damage
Fire departments from Wadena, Bluffton, Sebeka and New York Mills responded to the blaze, with Astera Ambulance on scene to assist firefighters. The home was ultimately considered a total loss as crews spent the morning securing what was left of the structure, KFGO reported.
Investigation underway
The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office are now investigating the fire. Both the cause of the blaze and the man’s cause of death remain under review, according to KARE 11. Officials told reporters they do not believe foul play was involved at this time.
Other recent fatal fires in the area
This is not the first deadly home fire the county has seen this winter. On Jan. 29, a fire west of Wadena killed a 73-year-old man, a separate incident covered by InForum. Local fire departments and the State Fire Marshal have been called in to investigate several of these winter fires.
What investigators will look for
The State Fire Marshal Division typically investigates the cause and origin of fatal fires and provides technical support to local departments, according to a review by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor. As part of the ongoing inquiry in this case, investigators will be working to determine whether the blaze started accidentally, for example from heating equipment, an appliance or an electrical issue.
