On February 1, 2025, at approximately 3:20 p.m. the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call of a residential fire at the address of 21453 430th Street in Krain Township. The caller reported smoke on the main floor and flames coming through the windows of the second floor. The caller and sole resident, Irene Schmitz, 81, Freeport, also reported everyone was out of the home. When a Stearns County Deputy arrived on scene, they observed the home to have flames coming from the roof and windows. The home was partially heated with a wood stove. Schmitz reported adding some wood around 1:30 p.m. and noticed smoke in the kitchen area shortly after 3:00 p.m. She went outside to investigate further and noticed flames on the second story above the kitchen area. The Freeport Fire Department responded to the fire and requested assistance from the Holdingford Fire Department, the Albany Fire Department, and Melrose Ambulance. There were no injuries as a result of this fire. The residence is owned by Isidore Schmitz, 68, of Freeport, and appears to be a total loss. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified.
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