1 Dead, 2 Others Hospitalized After Fire In St. Paul Apartment

Originally published March 1. Updated with confirmed death, identity of victim and cause of fire. 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Three people were hospitalized following an apartment fire Tuesday in St. Paul. One of the victims later died.

The St. Paul Fire Department says crews responded around 2:15 p.m. to the Johnson Parkway apartment building on the 1300 block of Ames Avenue in the city's Roosevelt - Phalen Center neighborhood.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames and removed two people from the apartment where the fire started. An ambulance brought three people to a local hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not given.

On Wednesday afternoon, St. Paul police said one of the victims died. Police identified him as 73-year-old James Sparks of St. Paul.

Fire officials also announced Wednesday that a cigarette caused the fire, and it was accidental.

The American Red Cross is responding to help those displaced by the fire, officials say.