At about 3:17 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a house fire in the 31000 block of CSAH 2 in Forest City Township.
Meeker County Deputies, Litchfield Fire Department, Eden Valley Fire Department, Dassel Fire Department, Litchfield Rescue, and Mayo Ambulance all responded to the scene.
Deputies found the house, garage, and a nearby shed engulfed in fire. Deputies learned that three adults – Shelby Holder, 24 of Litchfield, Alexis Karie, 24 of Litchfield, and James Loehrer, 25 of Litchfield – and four juveniles were in the house at the time of the fire.
Deputies learned that the house did not have smoke detectors; however, one of the occupants awoke to discover the fire.
All individuals inside got out of the house without injury. The house is a total loss. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants. It is believed the fire was due to a wood-burning stove in the garage.