BEMIDJI, Minn. – On Saturday afternoon, the Beltrami County 911 Emergency Communications Center received a report of a fire in a fish house on Upper Red Lake.
A propane tank exploded within the fish house, injuring the four occupants. While emergency personnel was responding, the occupants were taken to an area resort to await their arrival. Due to the travel distance to a medical facility and type of injury, two air ambulances were dispatched to the Waskish Airport.
Upon the arrival of Sheriff’s Deputies, a man and woman had already been transported by ambulance to the Waskish Airport to meet the air ambulances. Emergency medical services treated a second man and woman at the resort for burn-related injuries. The extent of their injuries and current condition is unknown.
The occupants of the fish house indicated they were utilizing 20 lb. propane tanks and a heating mechanism when a hissing sound was heard. A massive fireball filled the fish house after the valves were closed on the tank. The structure was described as a rigid frame-wheeled portable fish house with several exterior areas that were melted and burned. Two propane tanks were located within the structure and appeared to be intact.
Responding to the fire was the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Blackduck Ambulance, Bemidji Ambulance, Sanford AirMed, Kelliher Fire Department, Kelliher First Responders, and bystanders.
