Overview
- A duplex fire on the 700 block of Magnolia Avenue on Aug. 22 led firefighters to find Bonnie Lynn Pierce lying on top of her 3-year-old daughter shielding her from smoke and flames.
- Pierce was taken to hospital with severe injuries and died on Aug. 24, according to St. Paul Fire Department officials and family statements.
- The child Pierce protected was transported to a hospital and remains in critical condition, officials said.
- Family members say Pierce initially escaped and then ran back into the home to find the younger child, and a GoFundMe organized by relatives has raised nearly $80,000 to support the family.
- Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze and have urged residents to check smoke detectors and safety plans after St. Paul crews responded to three structure fires in about 90 minutes that afternoon.