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Home burns here, family escapes |
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Wednesday, 13 February 2008 |
Cliff Buchan
News Editor
A Forest Lake family was forced from their home by fire last week, but escaped without injuries.
An early morning fire at 243 NW 2nd Ave. was reported to Forest Lake Fire & Rescue at 12:22 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7.
The occupants awoke to find the home on fire. Clark Quiring, director of public safety and chief of police, said Brooke Simpson, 30, and a daughter, 8, escaped safely with the two family dogs and a pet bird.
A second daughter was staying at her grandmother’s on Wednesday night and was not at home at the time of the fire.
Fire Chief Gary Sigfrinius said there was significant smoke and heat damage to the two-story home, but no significant structural damage.
Officials said Simpson was asleep on the couch when she was awakened by the barking of the two dogs. She called for help and removed her daughter and animals from the home, Quiring said.
The cause of the blaze is undetermined, Sigfrinius said.
The American Red Cross was on the scene and provided emergency assistance to the family.
For those who would like to help, an account has been set up for the Simpson family at Lake Area Bank, and is under the Simpson name.
They are currently searching for a place to stay and also need housing for the two dogs.
More DWIs
The month of February appears to be just as busy as January in terms of DWI enforcement.
After last months' total of 17, the first part of February has seen six more.
Winter robberies
An Ice Castle Fish House was reported stolen off of Second Lake. The report came in on the evening of Friday, Feb. 8.
The fish house was placed on the lake on Feb. 2. It was described as black, v-front, stainless-steel diamond plate on the front, single axel, with red reflectors. Several items were inside the house, as well.
On Saturday morning, a snowmobile was reported as stolen from the 1600 block of 11th Ave. SE.
The resident said that during the early hours of Feb. 9, his 1997 Polaris snowmobile was stolen from his backyard.
The description is a purple snowmobile with green stripes, cracked windshield and a studded track.
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