A deadly pre-dawn house fire in White Bear Lake early Saturday left four people dead — an adult and three children — along with the family dog, officials said. Fire crews pulled up to a heavily involved blaze and spent the morning knocking it down and securing the scene, while neighbors gathered nearby and emergency units from around the east metro rolled in.
Crews were dispatched at 5:26 a.m. after neighbors reported flames punching through the roof and warned that people were likely still inside. Once they made entry, firefighters found an adult, three children, and a dog deceased. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office will lead the cause-and-origin investigation, and responding agencies include White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Mahtomedi, Maplewood, Oakdale, North Saint Paul, Little Canada Fire Department, and Lakeview EMS, according to MN CRIME.
Investigation Under Way
When the State Fire Marshal's Office takes the lead on a fatal fire probe, it typically conducts technical examinations and collects physical evidence to piece together the fire's cause and origin. The division's mission includes investigation, enforcement, and emergency response, according to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal.
Neighbors, Photos Show Heavy Damage
Neighbors told reporters they saw flames shooting through the roof and feared people were trapped inside. Photos circulating on the Citizen app show heavy smoke and crews working the scene, and MN CRIME reported the home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. The White Bear Lake Fire Department said more information will be released as it becomes available.
How To Get Information
Authorities have not released the victims' names. Anyone with information is asked to contact the White Bear Lake Police Department using the public safety contacts listed on the city website: White Bear Lake Police Department.
