Firefighters responding to a garage fire in the Battle Creek neighborhood early Thursday morning found three teenagers outside the home and said they were all outside, but according to the St. Fire Department Paul someone went unnoticed.
Firefighters respond to a house fire on Nelson Street in St. Paul early morning on Thursday, October 17, 2024 (courtesy of the St. Paul Fire Department)
According to a news release, fire crews arrived at approximately 2:54 a.m. to a home at 10 Nelson Street covered in heavy smoke and flames. After quickly extinguishing the fire and searching all levels, firefighters found an unconscious man in the basement.
He was taken from his home and taken to St. Paul Fire EMS and then taken to hospital.
According to Assistant Chief Constable Jamie Smith, the man was the father of three teenagers. The teenagers woke up their sleeping father to evacuate, but he apparently fell while leaving. Initial information showed that everyone was out of the house when firefighters arrived.
The man was in critical condition at the time of transport; According to the St. Fire Department Paul, no update on his condition was available Thursday afternoon.
A preliminary investigation showed that the fire started in the garage underneath the two-story house.
No additional people were found in the home and no firefighters were injured.
The case serves as a reminder of the benefits of having a household fire safety plan.
“We encourage everyone to have working and properly placed smoke detectors,” Smith said. “Have an exit plan in case of a fire, and when you go outside, have a safe, pre-planned meeting place ready to check on everyone.”