911 caller tries in vain to douse flames that engulfed man on rural property near St. Cloud

Officials have yet to make a preliminary ruling on the cause of the fire.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
April 22, 2024 at 3:17PM

A 911 caller attempted to douse flames that engulfed a man on rural residential property north of St. Cloud before the man died at the scene, officials said Monday.

The fire struck early Sunday afternoon in the 400 block of NE. 75th Street in Watab Township, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said.

Firefighters from nearby Sauk Rapids extinguished flames in an outbuilding and two outdoor wood-burning stoves, the Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the Sheriff’s Office:

The 911 caller reported the outbuilding ablaze and a man on fire. He tried to extinguish the flames before sheriff’s deputies arrived, then gave emergency aid to the man, who was declared dead at the scene.

Officials have yet to make a preliminary ruling on the cause of the fire. The deceased man’s identity has yet to be released.

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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