GR fire chief rescues woman lying on floor inside burning house

GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids fire chief saved a woman’s life in a house fire late Sunday, March 16, according to a Wednesday news release. He was a recent guest on the KAXE Morning Show.

The fire department responded to the report of a house fire on the 32000 block of Sunny Beach Road after working smoke detectors alerted residents. Itasca County Emergency Communications dispatchers learned one person was still inside.

Law enforcement officers tried to make entry but were unable to because of heavy smoke, the release stated. Using a thermal imaging camera through a bedroom window, Fire Chief Travis Cole found the woman lying on the floor.

Cole then climbed through the window, picked her up and handed her to responders waiting outside. The chief continued with on-scene command operations and directed responding fire departments in extinguishing the blaze.

The woman was treated at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital for smoke inhalation and released on Monday. Two other occupants were treated on scene for cuts.

Damage estimates are unknown, and the fire remains under investigation at this time.

In the release, the Grand Rapids Fire Department reminded residents to have working smoke alarms in their homes and to have an escape plan, practice it, and be prepared to use it in the event of a fire.

Responding agencies also included the Cohasset Fire Department, Trout Lake Fire Department, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Rapids Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Essentia Health Ambulance, North Memorial Health Ambulance, Grand Rapids Public Utilities and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.