Two critically hurt in Ericsson house fire
Minneapolis firefighters rescued two people from a heavily cluttered, 'over packed' home near 30th Avenue South and East 43rd Street in the Ericsson neighborhood during Sunday’s winter storm, rushing both to the hospital in critical condition after flames burned through the first floor, basement, walls, and attic. Crews struggled to navigate piles of items inside, called a second alarm to rotate firefighters in the extreme cold, brought in a Metro Transit bus as a warming shelter, and later declared the house uninhabitable while investigators probe the cause.
📌 Key Facts
- Fire was reported just after 5 p.m. Sunday at a home near 30th Avenue South and East 43rd Street in south Minneapolis’ Ericsson neighborhood.
- Two occupants, including an elderly woman, were pulled from the burning, 'over packed' home and transported to the hospital in critical condition.
- The Minneapolis Fire Department called a second alarm due to cold weather and interior hoarding-like conditions, used a Metro Transit bus as a warming shelter, and deemed the house uninhabitable while the cause remains under investigation.
📊 Relevant Data
The overall prevalence of hoarding disorder is approximately 2.6%, with higher rates for people over 60 years old.
Hoarding Disorder — Psychiatry.org
Hoarding increases fire risks for residents and creates dangers for firefighters, with studies suggesting 3-5% of the population are compulsive hoarders.
Fire Safety Concerns with Hoarding — Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
House fires become more frequent in winter months as temperatures plummet.
Extreme cold adds extra challenges for firefighters, such as responding to multiple house fires in cold conditions.
The prevalence of hoarding appears to be significantly greater for older adults (roughly 6.2 percent) compared to younger adults.
March 19, 2024 To interested parties: Hoarding disorder (HD) is a ... — USAging
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