A woman seriously burned in a deadly apartment fire last week in east-central Minnesota was in fair condition Wednesday at the Regions Hospital burn center in St. Paul, a hospital official said.
Carole Welsch, 69, was among four people who escaped with their lives from the Dec. 8 fire that killed three people: Michael Caley, 48; his son, sixth-grader Coleman, and their neighbor Shirley Norling, 68.
"We want to thank everyone for their concern," the family said in a statement issued by Regions. "Our mother's thoughts and prayers, along with the rest of our family's, go out to the other victims and their families."
The family described it as a miracle that she was able to get out. "She's surrounded by her loving family, who will help her put her life back together."
On Tuesday, State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl said that the apartment building lacked adequate smoke detectors. He said the fire is being considered an accident and is being investigated. It is believed to have started in the living room of a lower-level apartment.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
