One person died in an overnight fire at a senior living facility in St. Paul, authorities said.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Como By the Lake Senior Apartments about 3:45 a.m. Friday when smoke was reported in a first floor hallway of the building on the 900 block of E. Como Boulevard, said St. Paul Fire Department Deputy Chief Jamie Smith.
A “moderate” amount of smoke was coming from one of the units of the facility for ages 55 and older. Firefighters entered, put out the blaze and found a victim inside, Smith said.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
Other residents were evacuated for a short time, but none were displaced, Smith said.
St. Paul Fire Department investigators along with the state fire marshal are trying to determine the cause. The death has not officially been ruled a fire fatality, and won’t until the investigation is complete, Smith said.
The city averages two to three fire fatalities a year, Smith said.
