Firefighters rescued a man who was trapped in his burning apartment Thursday night in Inver Grove Heights, but he died of his injuries at a hospital, the city’s fire chief said.
Firefighters that were called to Bridgewood Apartments in the 3100 block of 65th Street East around 10:43 p.m. saw heavy black smoke and flames pouring from a balcony of a unit. They were told someone may be trapped inside, said Judy Thill, fire chief.
Firefighters entered the apartment building and made their way through smoke-filled hallways to reach the unit with the fire, Thill said. They forced open a door to the unit and found 60-year-old William Matara.
Matara was transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he was pronounced dead.
Firefighters from the South Metro, Eagan and Mendota Heights fire departments also responded to battle the blaze.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known Friday. Officials with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Inver Grove Heights Fire Department continue to investigate.
Inver Grove Heights Fire Marshal Jeff Schadegg said two of the building’s 24 units caught fire and that the remaining units are also uninhabitable because of smoke damage.
The American Red Cross said its volunteers were helping families displaced from the fire find lodging.