On Thursday February 1st, at about 11:47 a.m. the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire in a dwelling on County Highway 9, north of Pelican Rapids.
The caller stated there was one person that was still inside the residence and unaccounted for, but a few minutes later it was reported that all occupants had escaped safely.
A 74 year old man and his 58 year old wife were inside, when they smelled something electrical burning in a nearby room.
The husband was unable to escape on his own, but the couple were rescued by three bystanders that had stopped to help.
Both occupants are believed to have suffered minor smoke inhalation and were transported to a hospital in Detroit Lakes by Pelican Rapids Ambulance.
The Pelican Rapids, Vergas, and Audobon fire departments worked together to stop the fire, with the Pelican Rapids Police Department and Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office also responding.
The house is considered a total loss.
The fire does not appear suspicious in nature and is under investigation by the state Fire Marshall.