ANDOVER, Minn. — A man is dead following an early morning house fire in Andover Tuesday.
Crews were dispatched to the 14300 block of Woodbine St NW around 3:30 a.m. on reports of a home that was burning. Anoka County Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Andy Knotz says it appears the fire started in the attached garage of the home and spread to the house.
Knotz told reporters a family of four lived in the home. Unfortunately, a 35-year-old man was unable to escape the fire and perished. The victim was later identified as Chad Garner of Andover. His 39-year-old wife escaped the fire without injury, while their two teenage boys, ages 13 and 16, were taken to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids suffering from smoke inhalation. Officials say the two teens have since been released from the hospital.
Andover firefighters remained on scene through the morning, putting down hot spots. They were helped by fire crews from Anoka, Champlin and Ramsey.
Neighbor Theresa Shraff Shumway considered Garner a friend. A "dream neighbor" who owned an appliance repair business and often took time to help people on the street.
"Chad was always the nicest man in the neighborhood. Everyone knew him. Had flaming red hair, flaming red curls. A real Norwegian-type, Viking guy, you know. This big beard he grew," Shraff Shumway said.
Sheriff's officials say Chad's wife -- and two teenage sons escaped on their own. The 13 and 16 year old went to the hospital with smoke inhalation - and are expected to fully recover. But nothing could be done to save their father.
The State Fire Marshal will join investigators from the Andover Fire Department and the Anoka County Sheriff's Office in trying to determine the cause of the fatal fire.