A 36-year-old Big Lake man suspected of setting a fire at his family's home that killed two of his young children died Saturday of injuries suffered in the blaze, authorities said.
Anthony Robert Parker died at HCMC in Minneapolis, Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott said in a news release.
Investigators suspect that Parker intentionally set the fire, which killed 2-year-old Landon Michael Parker and 1-year-old Spencer Rae Parker. Two other children, ages 7 and 9, were taken to area hospitals. Their names and conditions were not released.
Big Lake police and firefighters responded to the fire at 5:37 a.m. Friday. They broke down the door and rescued five people from the home, including the four children.
The whereabouts of the children's mother, Jessica Rae Parker, was not disclosed. She could not be reached for comment Saturday. However, someone posted a photo of the deceased children on her Facebook page Friday night, and a photo of both her and Anthony Parker was posted there just after 5 a.m. Saturday.
A family member declined to comment Saturday.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating and will make a final determination about the cause of the fire.
Dan Browning • 612-673-4493
