One person was found dead inside a burned and collapsed home near Bemidji on Monday, Feb. 16.
In a statement, the Bemidji Fire Department said crews were called to a house fire in the 12000 block of Peterson Lake Road NE in Port Hope Township, about 15 miles northeast of Bemidji, shortly before 9 p.m.
According to the department, the large structure was totally consumed by the blaze when firefighters arrived. After nearly 30 firefighters spent about six hours at the scene, the blaze was extinguished, and the building and its contents were considered a total loss.
Firefighters then located a deceased person inside the home.
The fire department was assisted by Bemidji Ambulance Service, North Country First Responders, Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Beltrami Electric Cooperative and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal.
No firefighter injuries were reported, and the incident is being investigated.
