Two adults were found dead after a fire broke out in a detached garage on St. Paul’s East Side Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. in the 1800 block of Sims Avenue.
Firefighters, who responded to a neighbor’s call, arrived to find the garage fully engulfed in flames. Police spokesperson Sgt. Toy Vixayvong confirmed that the two victims were found inside the structure.
According to the Fire Department, the victims had been living in the garage at the time of the fire. Investigators believe the blaze was accidentally sparked when a space heater was knocked over. The flames appeared to have blocked the garage service door, preventing escape.
Officers temporarily restricted access to White Bear Avenue while crews worked to control the fire. The identities of the victims have not been released.
This marks the first fire fatality in St. Paul this year. The city typically averages two to three fire-related deaths annually. The Fire Department noted that improper heating is often a leading cause of fatal fires during cold weather.
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