Fire marshal says electrical equipment caused White Bear Lake house fire that killed NHL journalist, her 3 kids

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office said its preliminary findings in the investigation into the White Bear Lake house fire that killed NHL journalist Jessi Pierce and her three young children earlier this year was accidental and likely caused by electrical equipment. 

The fire happened in the early morning hours of March 21 at Pierce's home on Richard Avenue, about a block east of White Bear Avenue. The family's dog was also killed in the fire. 

In Thursday's news conference, White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson said the fire was "the worst loss of life due to a structure fire in the 138-year history" of his department.

State Fire Marshal Dan Krier said the fire originated in a room used as an office which didn't have an outlet, and an ungrounded extension cord from an adjacent room was used to provide power. 

"The equipment that was in the area of origin include extension cords, plug adapters, surge protectors, so in that series of bringing electricity into the room is really what we've identified as to the cause of the fire," Krier said.

He said the 1952 rambler-style home had fewer electrical outlets than modern homes and was built before stricter smoke alarm codes were enacted, and the alarms in the home the morning of the fire were likely battery powered and not interconnected with other alarms.

He said the collapse of the home's roof during the blaze hindered the investigation. However, modeling indicted a smoke alarm was triggered some four minutes after the fire started, which means Pierce and her children — Hudson, Cayden and Avery — had only one minute to escape. Modeling also showed escape routes would've been too smokey and dangerous to safely exit the home by the time the alarm sounded.

"As I think back to that day, I can tell you that this home was full of love," Krier said. "There are bunk beds in the bedroom, there are kids' toys, there are pictures of the family, there are personalized items, and of course lots of hockey memorabilia."  

Krier said investigators believe the family had somehow been alerted of the fire.

"A parent is not going to leave their child behind, and they were making sure that the entire family was trying to evacuate, so they were doing everything they could to keep the family together," Krier said.

Krier said he expects the full written report on the investigation will be released in the next month. 

Pierce's husband addresses "unfathomable loss"

Mike Hinrichs, Pierce's husband, was not at home at the time. Officials read a statement from him at Thursday's conference where he thanked first responders and all the support his family has received from the Minnesota Wild, the NHL and state's hockey community.

"This truly unfathomable loss and all-consuming grief is with me every day and will be forever with every breath I take that God allows. My only purpose today at this occasion is to express my thanks to the brave first responders and firefighters, the White Bear Lake fire investigators, and the state fire marshal's team for their efforts that morning and continuing to this day," Hinrichs said. "My deepest thanks and gratitude go out to all those in the community that have supported me and our other family members in this darkest of times. Your kindness is not gone unnoticed, even if we have been too numb to adequately acknowledge your compassion and sympathy."

Pierce wrote about the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com and co-hosted the Bardown Beauties hockey podcast.

"Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her," the Minnesota Wild said in statement released in the tragedy's aftermath. "She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL."

Earlier this month, the first Jessie Pierce Community Cup was announced, and is set to be played in December at the Tria Rink in downtown St. Paul. Proceeds will go to support women pursuing careers in sports media.

Tips for keeping your home safe

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson shared several recommendations for homeowners to prevent a similar tragedy:

• Look at all of your electrical equipment and make sure it's coming from a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Check for a sticker that reads, "UL, ETL and CSA" on the back.
• Plug your devices directly into the wall when possible.
• Check your cords to make sure there's no fraying.
• If you feel heat on your cords, stop using them immediately.
• If you're charging any devices, make sure it's on a flat, solid surface. Don't charge on a bed, pillow or sofa.
• When a device you're charging reaches 100%, unplug the device and the charger from the wall.
• Have working smoke alarms in your home, at least one on every level of the home, outside of every sleeping area and inside every sleeping area.
• Test your smoke alarms once a month.
• If any smoke alarm is older than 10 years, replace it, even if it's hardwired.
• Consider installing interconnected alarms, which provide additional time to react and be notified. Bluetooth technology is also available that removes the need for any rewiring.
• Have an escape plan and practice it. 
• Have two ways out of every sleeping area.
• Have a meeting place. Make sure it's a safe distance away from the home, and that everyone knows that one location.