Crime & Safety
Officials ID Woman, 72, Killed In Maple Grove House Fire
The woman's husband needed "advanced care" at a local hospital for his injuries from the fatal fire, officials said.
MAPLE GROVE, MN — A 72-year-old woman was killed last week in a fire at her home in Maple Grove, according to officials.
Mary Jo Berberick died around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at her home in the 10100 block of Maple Grove, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, which said she died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
The fire that killed Berberick also sent her husband to North Memorial Health Hospital for “advanced care” for his injuries, Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush said last week.
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Berberick’s husband suffered smoke- and heat-related injuries as he tried to remove his wife, who had mobility issues, from the home, Bush said.
Crews were called Wednesday afternoon to the 10100 block of Nathan Lane North, where the living room of a house was on fire with at least one person inside, Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush said.
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Berberick and her husband were inside when the fire started, Bush said
A neighbor said he rushed to the couple's house after seeing flames but couldn't get in to help the woman due to the flames, according to reports.
Heat, smoke and flames stopped emergency responders from trying to rescue Berberick before the fire was put out, Bush said.
Officials from the Maple Grove Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Division are investigating the blaze after a preliminary investigation did not determine the cause of the fire or where it started, Bush said last week.
Family members have been sharing information about Dave and Mary Jo Berberick on Caring Bridge in recent days.
Jessi Lindgren wrote Friday that Dave Berberick was “aware, awake” and “mostly pain-free.”
“The heartbreak will take time, but we are all in this together; and he is resting comfortably right now,” Lindgren wrote on Caring Bridge.
Lindgren wrote that the Berberick family is “sending love to everyone else who is grieving the loss of our lovely mother.”
“She was so many things to so many people,” Lindgren wrote.
Lindgren also praised firefighters, police and medical professionals who “have been so compassionate and kind.”
“Everyone’s kind thoughts and prayers and love have meant the world to us all,” Lindgren wrote.
REGIONAL NEWS:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
