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Dayton House Fire Leaves One Seriously Injured, Investigation Points to Electrical Fault

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 20:47 GMT by KSTP-TV

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Fire in Dayton Rips Through Home, Leaves One Injured

A devastating house fire erupted on the morning of Thursday, March 7 in the Minneapolis‑suburban community of Dayton, Minnesota, shattering a family’s home and leaving a resident with serious injuries. The incident, reported by KSTP’s local‑news team, unfolded at a two‑story ranch‑style house on the corner of 54th Street North and Oak Street North. According to the Dayton Fire Department (DFD), the blaze began in the master bedroom and quickly spread through the living area, forcing the occupants to flee the premises in a state of chaos.

The Incident

Firefighters were dispatched to the address at 08:14 a.m. after a neighbor’s phone call reported a “large fire” with “smoke pouring out.” DFD’s Engine 5 and Ladder 2, along with a support crew from the adjacent Minneapolis Fire District, arrived within minutes. The fire was described as “rapidly expanding,” prompting an immediate aerial assessment from the department’s helicopter unit. While the building’s exterior was already a dark, blackened silhouette, the interior still held a dense, black‑smoked air that made breathing difficult for anyone inside.

The fire’s origin was traced to the master bedroom, where investigators found a hot electrical outlet that had likely been overloaded. “We found a broken outlet, a melted wiring harness, and what appears to be an electrical short,” said DFD Captain Maria Rodriguez, who is currently supervising the investigation. A review of the home’s electric system revealed that the 200‑amp panel was already at capacity, raising concerns about the potential for future incidents. “We don’t know for certain whether this was an electrical fault or something else, but the evidence points strongly to an electrical failure,” Rodriguez added.

Injured Resident

The only person inside the house at the time of the fire was a 32‑year‑old man, John “Jack” Anderson, who was in the process of preparing breakfast. Anderson suffered third‑degree burns on his left arm and was taken to the Minneapolis Saint Mary’s Hospital by ambulance. He was listed as “seriously injured” in a hospital press release released that afternoon. His wife, who was at a neighbor’s house at the time, said in an interview that the couple had “not been able to talk about it much yet.” Anderson’s injuries are still under evaluation, and he remains in a medically induced coma as of the last update from the hospital’s trauma department.

Community Response

The Dayton community was quick to rally after the news spread. A local group of volunteers organized a “Dayton Fire Safety Drive” at the city hall to distribute free smoke detector kits to low‑income households. Meanwhile, the Dayton Police Department (DPD) released a statement urging residents to “double‑check their electrical wiring and avoid overloading circuits.” Police spokesperson Officer Linda Kim said the DPD was still reviewing whether the incident had any suspicious circumstances. “We have no indication of foul play at this time. We’re continuing to investigate the cause, but early evidence suggests an accidental electrical fault.”

Local homeowner association meetings took a pause on Tuesday to discuss fire safety upgrades, including a proposal to retrofit older homes with smarter electrical systems. “We’ve seen a few similar incidents over the past year, and it’s time for a city‑wide policy on electrical inspections for homes built before 2000,” said HOA Chair Mark Patel. “This isn’t about blame; it’s about preventing future tragedies.”

Official Investigations

The DFD, in conjunction with the Minneapolis Fire Department’s Hazmat Unit, conducted a thorough post‑fire inspection. The hazmat team detected no toxic chemicals or evidence of arson. A “no smoking” zone was established around the site as a precaution. The investigation also looked into whether the fire could have been started by a gas leak. However, the homeowner’s natural gas line was found to be intact, eliminating that as a cause. The fire department has requested the homeowner to provide a timeline of electrical work performed in the house over the past decade to help the investigation.

The Minneapolis Fire Department released a “Safety Tips for Homeowners” bulletin on the same day, which was linked within the KSTP article. The bulletin includes recommendations such as:

1. Regular Electrical Inspections – Every five years for homes older than 20 years.
2. Smoke Detector Maintenance – Replace batteries twice a year.
3. Avoid Overloading Outlets – Use only one high‑power appliance per outlet.
4. Emergency Exit Plans – Ensure all family members know two escape routes from every room.

The bulletin also directs residents to the Minneapolis Department of Buildings website for more detailed safety guidelines.

The Bigger Picture

Dayton is no stranger to fire incidents. In 2022, a small residential fire on Maple Avenue caused extensive damage to a three‑story home, but fortunately, there were no injuries. Local officials use incidents like these to emphasize the importance of updated electrical systems, especially in older housing stock. The city’s Building Code Commission has been advocating for an “Electrical Modernization Grant” to aid homeowners in upgrading outdated wiring, a policy that was passed in 2021 after a statewide legislative push for safer homes.

As of now, the Dayton Fire Department is continuing to clean up the debris and assess the structural integrity of the remaining building. The city has already scheduled a community safety meeting for next Wednesday, where residents will have the opportunity to hear from the fire chief, local legislators, and fire safety advocates.

The tragedy underscores a persistent reality for many suburban communities: the hidden dangers that live in our homes. KSTP remains committed to following the investigation and bringing updates on Anderson’s recovery, the final determination of the fire’s cause, and any policy changes the city may implement in response. Stay tuned for more details as authorities close in on the root cause and as the Dayton community rebuilds in the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident.