(Linn Grove)– A weekend house fire near Linn Grove has claimed a life.
The Sioux Rapids Fire Department was called around 11:00 p.m. Sunday to a house fire at the Bruce Geisinger residence at 4870 180th Avenue in Clay county. Firefighters were told there were still people inside the house. A male occupant, Bruce Geisinger, had gotten out of the house by the time firefighters arrived. Firefighters entered the house and removed 70-year-old Colleen Geisinger, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bruce Geisinger was taken by ambulance to Spencer Hospital and was transferred by Life Flight Helicopter to a Sioux Falls hospital with smoke inhalation.
An investigation by Dave Schipper of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Sioux Rapids Fire Department determined the fire was caused by some smoking material that ignited a bed.
The house sustained heavy smoke, fire and water damage. Authorities say damage could reach as much as 80-thousand dollars.
