Fire that killed dog in northwestern Minnesota ruled arson

Authorities are investigating an arson that burned a home Tuesday night in Audubon, Minnesota, killing a dog.

According to the Audubon Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters responded to a report of a fire at an occupied home just after 11 p.m. on the 300 block of Eagle Street. The person who called 911 was inside the home and reported that the fire had been intentionally set.

When firefighters arrived, there were flames coming from the upper level. Upon entry, they found a fully involved fire in the upstairs bedroom, the fire department said.

It took firefighters about five minutes to contain the blaze. Over the next hour and a half, crews worked to make sure the fire was fully extinguished.

All of the people inside the home managed to escape safely, but a dog was left inside and did not survive.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office came to the house the next morning to help with the investigation. The fire was ruled an arson.

Anyone with information on who might be responsible for the fire is asked to call the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at 218-847-2667 or the Arson Hotline at 800-723-2020. Tips can also be submitted online.