Minnesota State Trooper Rescues 2 People from Burning Minneapolis Home

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper responding to an overnight call spotted heavy smoke and flames coming from a two-story residence in Minneapolis and rushed inside to rescue two residents before fire crews arrived, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.

Trooper Rescues Two Residents From Burning Home

The incident began at approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday, when MnDOT Trooper Gavin Wagner was en route to a separate call and noticed flames shooting from the back of a structure on the 900 block of 29th Avenue South in the Seward neighborhood, cbsnews.com reported. Traffic cameras and waking neighbors also detected the fire as it consumed the property near Riverside and East Franklin avenues, according to cbsnews.com and fox9.com.

After calling for backup, Trooper Wagner entered the burning two-story structure and safely guided two residents outside before fire crews arrived. The state trooper suffered smoke inhalation during the rescue but did not require hospitalization, according to fox9.com.

Firefighters Pull Third Person and Cat From Smoke

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they learned a third resident was still trapped inside the heavily damaged home, according to cbsnews.com and fox9.com. Crews entered the building through heavy smoke and flames, located the remaining occupant, and brought them outside to begin CPR, fox9.com reported. Emergency medical personnel transported that individual to an area hospital, where they were listed in critical condition, cbsnews.com reported.

A family member told WCCO that his mother, stepfather, and nephew were the three people rescued from the blaze, identifying his mother as the patient currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition, cbsnews.com reported. The other two rescued residents were transported to a hospital to be evaluated for smoke inhalation and are in stable condition, according to cbsnews.com and fox9.com.

During their search of the burning residence, firefighters also located a cat, successfully revived it at the scene, and transferred the animal to Animal Control for additional medical care, fox9.com reported.

Fire Renders Minneapolis Structure Completely Uninhabitable

The Minneapolis Fire Department issued a second alarm to bring additional equipment, ambulances, and firefighters to the location, bringing the blaze under control in approximately two hours, according to fox9.com. Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker stated that the structure sustained extensive damage and was rendered completely uninhabitable, cbsnews.com reported.

Our thoughts are with the residents injured in this fire and with the State Trooper who bravely entered the home before our crews arrived. Their actions, and the rapid, coordinated efforts of our firefighters and medical teams, helped prevent an even more devastating outcome. We remain hopeful for the full recovery of everyone affected.

Assistant Chief Melanie Rucker

State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic also praised the response, noting that Trooper Wagner’s actions allowed him to direct arriving firefighters straight to the location of the resident trapped inside, cbsnews.com reported. Fire officials confirmed that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.