Fatal House Fire
Posted: 01/03/2023
Category: County Sheriff Press Release
< Back
Case Number: 23-35
Date Reported: 1/1/2023 at 9:32 PM
Incident: Fatal House Fire
Location: 15684 County Road 102 NE, Miltona Township
Case Details:
Complainant: Charles DeMartelaere, Age 52 of Miltona, MN
Deceased: Gene DeMartelaere, Age 85 of Miltona, MN
Details: On January 1st, 2023 at about 9:32 pm the Douglas County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from Charles DeMartelaere about a house fire on County Road 102 NE near Miltona. Douglas County deputies and the Miltona Fire Department responded and found the house fully engulfed. Charles DeMartelaere was in an outbuilding on the property when he noticed the fire and tried to get inside to help his elderly father, Gene, but he was unable to do so because of the smoke, heat, and flames. The Miltona Fire Department requested mutual aid from the Carlos and Parkers Prairie Fire Departments. The Parkers Prairie Ambulance transported Charles DeMartelaere to Alomere Hospital for smoke inhalation. He was later released. North Ambulance was also paged and remained on scene until the fire was extinguished. A Deputy State Fire Marshal responded and assisted the fire departments and with the investigation. Gene DeMartelaere's body and a dog were located on the main floor of the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but does not appear to be suspicious.
Officer: Sgt. Ron Boyden, #209