Investigators determine cause of fire that killed Jessi Pierce, 3 kids

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minnesota state fire investigators have determined the deadly fire in White Bear Lake that claimed the life of NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children was sparked by overheating electrical equipment in a home office.

Fire investigation findings

What we know:

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal released the preliminary findings of its investigation into the deadly March fire in White Bear Lake on Thursday.

Officials say the fire has been deemed an accident that started with overheating electrical equipment in a home office.

"These electrical items are a part of everyday life," said State Fire Marshal Dan Krier. "They're used in homes all across Minnesota. In fact, as you're watching this, the device you're using could very well be plugged into one or more of those items."

Home layout:

Krier described the house as a rambler built in 1952. Like homes built in that era, he said it was built with fewer electrical outlets. Due to a lack of outlets, Krier said the family had run power into the room using an extension cord.

Fire safety tips

Big picture view:

State officials used the fire briefing as an opportunity to urge members of the public to examine the situation in their own homes.

The fire marshal said the set-up in Pierce's home is likely beng using in many other homes in Minnesota.

Here are some tips shared by the fire marshal's office:

• Practice electrical safety: Follow manufacturers’ guidelines, plug devices directly into wall outlets when possible, regularly check cords and devices for damage or overheating, and charge devices on hard, stable surfaces.
• Check smoke alarms: Have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of the home and inside each sleeping room. Interconnected alarms are recommended. Test alarms regularly and replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Create and practice a home escape plan: Identify two ways out of every sleeping room when possible, choose an outdoor meeting place and make sure everyone in the household knows the plan. Include pets in the plan if it is safe to do so.

The goal is to have layers of protection in place before a fire happens: working smoke alarms, safe electrical practices, multiple ways out and a practiced escape plan. 

Deadly fire rips through White Bear Lake home

The backstory:

The White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to an early morning fire on Saturday, March 21 on Richard Avenue –  a side street off White Bear Avenue north of County Road E.

Neighbors called 911, reporting seeing flames coming from the roof of the single-family home. When firefighters arrived, they said the home was fully engulfed in flames.

Crews worked to knock down the flames. Firefighters found four people dead inside: mother Jessi Pierce, her 8-year-old son Hudson Hinrichs, her 6-year-old son Cayden Hinrichs, and her 4-year-old daughter Avery Hinrichs.

Local perspective:

Authorities initially said there was no evidence the fire was intentionally set. But, the official cause of the blaze was not released by authorities.

What they're saying:

Pierce and her family were mourned by the hockey community. The Wild, who Pierce covered for NHL.com, remembered Pierce as a beacon of happiness.

"Words just can’t express how devastated we all are, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the media, if you’re a player, in management, if you’re a coach. We’re all in this hockey world together. Jessi was always happy, always in a good mood, always a pleasure to deal with for me. We’ll miss her. I just want you guys to know we’re here for you," Wild GM Bill Guerin said.