Juvenile hospitalized following house fire
On Wednesday, January 18, at approximately 12:56 a.m., the Wadena Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire with one occupant still inside the house at 416 3rd St. SW, within the city limits of Wadena.
Prior to the arrival of the fire department, law enforcement had arrived and attempted to enter the house and search for the occupant but was unable to do so due to heavy smoke.
Fire personnel arrived and entered the residence and located a juvenile male inside the residence. The juvenile was transported to Tri-County Health Care and was further transported to Hennepin County Medical Center. His condition is unknown at this time.
Fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to assist with the investigation. Currently, the cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the Wadena Fire and Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Assisting the Wadena Fire Department was the Verndale Fire Department, Tri-County Health Care, Wadena Police Department, Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, Menahga Police Department, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Wadena Public Utilities.