HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-14-FireFatality
Contact: Marty Doll, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cause of Edina house fire not yet known
Edina, Minn., Dec. 14, 2010 – The cause of an early morning fire in Edina that claimed the life of
one person is still undetermined. An investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Division is
ongoing. At this time, no indication has been given as to the cause or origin of the fire.
Edina Fire personnel were dispatched to the home on the 7200 block of Lanham Lane
shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14. Crews arrived within minutes to discover flames
engulfing the basement and ground level of the two-story home. Responders were informed
that one of the home’s residents had escaped out a second-story window, but that the
home’s second resident was believed to still be inside.
Fire crews began attacking the fire from inside the home, but were eventually driven
outside due to the fire’s extreme heat. Once the fire was controlled from the outside,
responders resumed their search for the missing person. Fire investigators located the
deceased victim around 10:15 a.m. under debris on the home’s main floor. The victim was
taken to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office for official identification.
According to Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer, the presence of working smoke alarms is
what allowed one of the home’s residents to escape with only minor injuries.
“Fire fatalities are always difficult for everyone involved, and our condolences go out to the
family of the victim,” said Scheerer. “Thanks to a working smoke alarm, we are not dealing
with two deaths.”
In addition to the Edina Police and Fire departments, fire crews from St. Louis Park,
Richfield, Hopkins, Bloomington and Eden Prairie, along with paramedics from Hennepin
County Medical Center and fire investigators from Hennepin County and the State Fire
Marshal’s Division responded to the scene. The Salvation Army and Metro Transit busses
were also present to provide aid and shelter to responders.
For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call 952-826-0330.
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