On Saturday, January 15, at approximately 2:05 a.m., officers of the Grand Forks Police Department were dispatched to 2110 10th Avenue North for a report of smoke in the residence. Altru paramedics and Grand Forks Fire Department personnel were dispatched as well.
Officers were informed that one of the residents, could feel the door to their room was hot, and they couldn’t get out of the house. Upon arrival, officers were able to visibly see smoke and fire in the residence and were able to see the resident through a Northside window. Officers forced the window open but were still unable to get him out through the window at that time. Grand Forks Fire personnel entered the residence, and with the officer’s assistance were able to get the caller out of the house through the window.
As Fire personnel was inside, a second victim, the other resident, was also found and removed from the building. Fire personnel succeeded in putting out the fire in the residence without further incident.
Both residents were transported to Altru for treatment of their injuries and heavy smoke inhalation. There were no other occupants in the house. There is no known ongoing danger to other people or property from this incident.
UPDATED: 3:30 P.M. 1/16/22
A victim, in this case, resident Sarah Marie Gatica (40 years old) succumbed to her injuries sustained in this incident. The incident remains under active investigation by the Grand Forks Police Department and Grand Forks Fire Department. Any further updates related to this matter will be released by the Grand Forks Fire Department.
