Mankato House Fire Kills 2 Children, Injures Mom

MANKATO, MN — Two children died early Monday after a fire broke out in an upstairs apartment on Bradley Street, according to Mankato Public Safety.

Firefighters were called to 233 1/2 Bradley Street around 2 a.m. and saw flames coming from the upstairs unit. Five people were inside at the time.

An adult male and one child escaped unharmed, while an adult female was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center with injuries. Two children were killed. Their names have not yet been released.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, especially at the start of the new school year,” Director of Public Safety Jeremy Clifton said in a statement. “We are working to determine the cause and will support those affected in any way we can.”

The occupants of the downstairs apartment got out safely, officials said.

While investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, early indications suggest it was not intentionally set. The State Fire Marshal is assisting with the investigation.