Investigators see no sign of arson in White Bear Lake fire that killed Jessi Pierce and her three children
Investigators say there is no evidence the White Bear Lake house fire that killed hockey reporter Jessi Pierce, her three children and the family dog was intentionally set, though the cause remains undetermined as fire officials and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office continue an early-stage investigation and dedicate all available resources. The deaths — confirmed by White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson — prompted grief and tributes from the Minnesota Wild organization and players, and officials have deployed mental‑health support for first responders.
📌 Key Facts
- The adult victim in the White Bear Lake house fire has been identified as hockey reporter Jessi Pierce, who covered the Minnesota Wild and the NHL.
- All three children killed in the fire were Pierce’s children; the family dog also died in the blaze.
- White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson confirmed Pierce was the adult victim found in the home.
- The White Bear Lake Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office say they have found no evidence so far that the fire was intentionally set; the investigation is still in its early stages and the official cause remains undetermined.
- Fire agencies say they are dedicating “all possible resources” to determine what led to the blaze and will release more information when the investigation is complete.
- The city’s embedded mental‑health professional is working with fire staff and others to help them process the tragedy.
- The Minnesota Wild organization and team members expressed shock and grief — GM Bill Guerin called Pierce a dedicated ambassador and said the hockey community will miss her and support the media; players including captain Jared Spurgeon recalled Pierce bringing her children into the dressing room and said the team is “very shook.” The Wild beat the Dallas Stars 2‑1 in overtime hours after learning of the deaths and will carry the loss with them on a three‑game road trip.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2022, African Americans had a fire death rate of 19.4 per million population, compared to 13.4 for Whites, with a relative risk of 1.5; African Americans comprised 14% of the U.S. population but accounted for 20% of total fire deaths.
Fire Risk in 2022 — U.S. Fire Administration
In 2022, African American children accounted for 31% of child fire deaths but only 16% of the child population, with a relative risk for African American children ages 0-4 being 1.8 times higher than all children in that age group.
Fire Risk in 2022 — U.S. Fire Administration
In 2022, American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had a fire death rate of 14.3 per million population, with a relative risk of 1.1 compared to the general population.
Fire Risk in 2022 — U.S. Fire Administration
In 2022, Asian/Pacific Islander individuals had a fire death rate of 3.8 per million population, with a relative risk of 0.3 compared to the general population.
Fire Risk in 2022 — U.S. Fire Administration
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- White Bear Lake Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office say they have found no evidence so far that the fire was intentionally set.
- Officials emphasize the investigation is still in its early stages and the official cause of the fire remains undetermined.
- The city’s embedded mental-health professional is working with fire staff and others to help them process the tragedy.
- Fire agencies state they are dedicating 'all possible resources' to determine what led to the blaze and will release more information when the investigation is complete.
- Wild GM Bill Guerin, coach John Hynes, captain Jared Spurgeon and forward Marcus Foligno gave on‑record comments describing their shock, grief and memories of Jessi Pierce.
- Guerin emphasized that players, coaches and media are "all in this hockey world together" and said the team would miss her and support the media contingent.
- Spurgeon recalled Pierce bringing her children into the dressing room for interviews and described the team as "very shook" by the news.
- The story notes the Wild played and beat the Dallas Stars 2‑1 in overtime just hours after learning of the deaths, and will carry the loss with them on a three‑game road trip.
- White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson is quoted by name confirming that Pierce was the adult victim found in the home.
- The adult woman killed in the White Bear Lake house fire has been identified as hockey reporter Jessi Pierce, who covered the Minnesota Wild and the NHL.
- The Minnesota Wild organization issued a formal statement describing Pierce as a 'kind, compassionate' person and a 'dedicated ambassador' for the game.
- FOX 9 confirms that all three children killed in the fire were Pierce’s children, along with the family dog.