One dead in garage fire in St. Paul, city’s third fire death of 2025

A homeless man seeking warmth in a St. Paul garage died Wednesday when the structure caught fire, marking the city’s third fire death this year — all under the similar circumstances.

All three victims died in detached garages.

St. Paul Fire Department Deputy Chief Jamie Smith said a neighbor reported flames inside a detached garage in the 1400 block of Mayre Street Wednesday. Fire crews arrived at 9:27 p.m. and found flames engulfing the garage, collapsing the building’s roof and burning the structure to its foundations. Inside, firefighters found a body.

Officials believe the fire was accidental, reporting that a two-burner electric hot plate with food and an electric portable heater were inside. The homeowner told investigators that he allowed an unsheltered man to stay in the garage for warmth.

“This does provide an opportunity to highlight the safe use of heating elements, and making sure that folks are seeking shelter in a safe way,” Smith said.

“No one should lose their life trying to stay warm. Garages are not meant for living. They lack the proper heating, smoke/CO alarms, and safe exits, making them a death trap. We as a community must take action to prevent these tragic fire deaths.”

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner began an autopsy Thursday to verify the victim’s identity, confirming that fire killed the man. Investigation into the death continues.

Wednesday’s incident marks the third fire death in St. Paul in 2025. Department officials say the city’s average is three fire deaths per year, and improper heating is the leading cause of fatal fires during cold weather.

Two men died in St. Paul on Feb. 9 when authorities believe a space heater was tipped over inside a detached garage where the victims lived. The heater sparked a blaze that consumed the building and blocked the victims' way out. The medical examiner identified those men as 63-year-old Frank Allen Piele and 39-year-old David John Orlando.