ST. PAUL – Just across the street from the St. Paul Fire Hall, the fire department responded to a structure fire on Wednesday afternoon.
Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich and Deputy Chief Henry Thomson were on duty at the fire hall when they were alerted of the fire just before 3 p.m.
There was reportedly a youth thought to be inside the house. Kotowich and Thomson, equipped with their protective gear and breathing apparatus, entered the house to look for the youth.
“Other responding firefighters, along with trucks, arrived shortly after and assisted in the fire fight,” according to a statement from Kotowich.
Ten minutes later, the fire department determined the youth was not inside the home, however, there were two adults and two children who had to flee the house.
“Efforts turned to extinguishing the fire, but unfortunately fire entered into the attic and roof space which became problematic to extinguish,” noted Kotowich.
To gain access from the back, the fire department used the Town of St. Paul’s excavator to tear down part of the structure. The fire was eventually extinguished, “And the property is a total loss.”
Kotowich said 20 firefighters responded to the call. One was treated by emergency medical services for minor injuries and released on the scene.
The fire department is currently investigating the fire.