Man Found Dead After Pre-Dawn House Fire Northwest of Wadena

A man was found dead inside a burning residence in the 37000 block of County Highway 75 northwest of Wadena shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday, March 9, and the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office and Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office have opened a joint investigation into both the fire's cause and the man's death.

Dispatchers received the call around 3:44 to 3:45 a.m. When fire crews from Wadena, Bluffton, Sebeka and New York Mills arrived at the rural property, they located the man's body inside the home. Astera Ambulance also responded to the scene. The home was declared a total loss.

The victim's name has not been released, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office. His cause of death remains under investigation.

In a news release, the sheriff's office stated: "At this time it is believed that no foul play is involved. The residence is a total loss and the incident is under investigation."

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office, which routinely investigates fatal structure fires in Minnesota, is working alongside the sheriff's office to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. Both the fire's cause and the manner of death remain under review.

Monday's fatal fire is the second deadly home fire in the Wadena area this winter. On January 29, a separate blaze west of Wadena killed a 73-year-old man, according to reporting by InForum.

The sheriff's office has not indicated when the victim's name will be released or when findings from the investigation are expected.