5 children escape Alexandria fire, mom found unresponsive

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. (KMSP) - Police officers in Alexandria, Minnesota rescued 5 children from a house fire early Friday morning, but the children said their mother will still inside. As firefighters started knocking down the fire, they found the 34-year-old woman unresponsive on the floor, with visible burns.

The children involved were ages 5, 8, 11, 16 and 17 years old.  The mother was rushed to the Douglas County Hospital and airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. Firefighters told Fox 9 she is expected to survive.

The fire was reported at 3:23 a.m. on Unumb Drive in Alexandria. Officers and deputies evacuated adjoining townhomes. 

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire scene.  At this time the origin of the fire is determined to be in the kitchen, but the official cause of the fire remains undetermined. The townhome was valued at approximately $150,000 with an estimated 75 percent being damaged due to fire, smoke, and water.

The victim’s identity is not being released at this time, pending family notification. Assisting Alexandria police and firefighters were the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, North Ambulance and Life Link.