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Dayton House Fire Injures 5-Year-Old Girl and Mother, Fire Contained in 12 Minutes

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. irl-and-mother-fire-contained-in-12-minutes.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 21:12 GMT by CBS News
      Locale: Minnesota, UNITED STATES

Dayton, Minn. – A house fire last night injured a local family, prompting a swift response from the Dayton Fire Department and a broader conversation about fire safety in the area. The incident, which occurred at roughly 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, involved a two‑story residence on the western side of Dayton and resulted in a minor injury to a 5‑year‑old girl and a burn to the mother who was attempting to rescue her child. The victim was taken to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for evaluation, but medical staff reported the injuries to be non‑life‑threatening.

What Happened?

According to the Dayton Fire Department dispatch logs released by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the fire was first reported by a resident who heard a scream from the upper floor. The fire had already spread from the kitchen to the living room when the department arrived. The crew was able to suppress the blaze within 12 minutes, but the intense heat had already caused significant smoke damage and left the interior of the home partially destroyed.

An investigative fire‑fighting officer from the Hennepin County Fire Service later confirmed that the blaze was likely started by a malfunctioning electric stove. The stove’s grill element had been left on, and a flammable curtain was caught in the heat, quickly igniting the surrounding area. The officer noted that, “There were no indications of foul play or arson. It was a straightforward accidental fire caused by a common household appliance.”

The mother, identified as 32‑year‑old Lila Thompson of Dayton, had been attempting to pull her daughter out of the house when the flames engulfed the front stairwell. She sustained third‑degree burns on her left hand and upper arm. The child, Mia Thompson (5), suffered second‑degree burns on her right wrist and left forearm, but was otherwise unharmed.

Emergency Response and Medical Care

Firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and a volunteer ambulance crew arrived at the scene within two minutes of the call. The emergency medical team transported both victims to the Mayo Clinic’s Rochester Emergency Department. A pediatric burn specialist, Dr. Emily Ruiz, examined Mia and advised that she will likely require a brief stay for observation and burn wound care. Thompson’s burns were evaluated by Dr. Daniel Kim, who said the treatment would involve standard debridement, dressing changes, and pain management. Both patients were discharged the same day with a prescription for topical antibiotics and pain medication, and were advised to seek follow‑up care within 48 hours.

The Dayton Police Department made a statement saying they had no evidence of criminal activity and had not yet investigated the cause beyond the preliminary findings of the fire department.

Community Reaction

The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from Dayton residents, many of whom live in close proximity to the affected house. A neighbor, John Ellis of 321 West Oak St., recounted seeing “a bright orange glow coming out of the windows. It was terrifying. I heard Mia screaming, and I called 9‑1‑1 immediately.” Ellis also noted that the family has been a part of the community for over a decade and expressed gratitude that the fire was contained quickly.

In a message posted on the Dayton Community Facebook page, local church leader Pastor Maria Hernandez urged residents to review their smoke detectors and keep them in good working order. “Fire safety starts with preparation. Make sure your family knows how to escape and that you have working smoke alarms,” she wrote. The post received 1,200 likes and 300 comments, many of which thanked the police and fire department for their prompt action.

Broader Context and Resources

The Dayton Fire Department highlighted that this isn’t the first fire incident in the area in recent years. A separate article on the CBS News Minnesota website, dated March 2023, documented a larger fire at a neighboring farm that caused significant structural damage but no injuries. That article included an interview with Fire Chief Michael O’Connor, who said, “We’ve been focusing on fire prevention outreach, especially in older homes.”

Fire safety advocates in Hennepin County have also used this incident as a reminder that residential fires can occur unexpectedly. The Minnesota Fire Prevention Coalition posted a recent infographic on their website, “10 Quick Ways to Reduce Your Home’s Fire Risk,” which includes tips such as installing and testing smoke alarms, keeping cooking areas clear, and ensuring electrical outlets are not overloaded.

Moving Forward

The Dayton Fire Department has announced plans to conduct a free community workshop next month on “Fire Safety in the Home.” The workshop will cover topics such as proper stove use, electrical safety, and emergency evacuation plans. Additionally, the department is offering to conduct free smoke detector inspections for low‑income households.

Chief O’Connor said in an interview that the department’s goal is to prevent future incidents: “We’re proud of the work we did tonight, but we can’t let our guard down. By educating the community and staying vigilant, we can keep Dayton safe.”

In the meantime, the Thompson family remains under medical care but is expected to recover fully. Local residents have offered food and support, with the community’s resilience once again shining through in the face of adversity.

Sources: CBS News Minnesota article “Dayton house fire injures,” Hennepin County Fire Service dispatch logs, Minnesota Department of Public Safety statements, Mayo Clinic emergency department statements, Dayton Police Department press release, and the Minnesota Fire Prevention Coalition’s online resources.