Fire engulfed a central Minnesota house early Tuesday, killing one of three occupants, authorities said.

Emergency responders were alerted to the blaze in the 200 block of 1st Avenue S. in downtown Freeport shortly after 3:30 a.m., according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

Two people in the single-story house escaped and were treated for smoke inhalation. However, a third person was found dead in the home, the Sheriff's Office said. Fire crews remained on the scene well after sunrise.

Identities of those in the house were being withheld pending notification of relatives.

Authorities have yet to address how the fire started.

Paul Walsh