The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

July 4, 2009

Body found in smoke-filled home

State fire marshal investigating death of 75-year-old Waseca woman

By Mark Fischenich

WASECA — Waseca firefighters found a 75-year-old Waseca woman dead inside her smoke-filled home Saturday morning.

Smoke was coming from the home when fire crews arrived at 10:34 a.m. after being called by a neighbor, said Assistant Fire Chief John Underwood. There was no fire burning inside the home at that time, but it was still filled with smoke.

“Everything now is still under investigation by the state fire marshal,” Underwood said.

The Waseca Police Department wasn’t releasing the name of the woman pending notification of relatives, and Underwood said he couldn’t say if smoke inhalation caused the death.

“At this time, that’s unknown pending a coroner’s report,” he said.

No other people were in the home, but two pets were also found dead.

Police said foul play is not suspected.

Underwood said the source of the smoke was still being investigated by State Fire Marshal Steve Wolfe.

The incident came two weeks after the Waseca police and fire departments responded to a fire-related death at Kiesler’s Campground in Waseca. A 58-year-old Wells man fell into a campfire on June 20 and was dead when other campers came to his aid.

An autopsy was ordered in that case as well.

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