State Fire Marshal: Deadly White Bear Lake Fire Was Accidental, Electrical in Nature
Published: September 24th, 2026.
WHITE BEAR LAKE MN - Six months after a house fire killed a White Bear Lake mother and her three children, state investigators say preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental and electrical in nature.
Jessi Hinrichs and her three children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery, along with the family’s dog, died in the March 21, 2026, fire.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s State Fire Marshal division announced its preliminary findings Wednesday, Sept. 24, saying investigators determined the fire originated in a room being used as an office.
According to investigators, the fire was caused by overheating electrical equipment in the office.
Extensive fire damage and a roof collapse prevented investigators from determining the exact locations of all smoke alarms inside the home. However, investigators said information gathered through the investigation and interviews indicated there was a smoke alarm near the bedrooms and likely another near the basement stairs.
Investigators also used fire and smoke modeling software to examine how quickly conditions inside the home deteriorated.
According to the State Fire Marshal, modeling indicated the smoke alarm closest to the bedrooms would have activated approximately four minutes after the fire began. By about five minutes after ignition, conditions along the home's primary escape route would have become nearly impossible to navigate.
The home was built in 1952 and had characteristics typical of residential construction from that era, including fewer electrical outlets than modern homes and smoke alarms that were not interconnected, officials said.
“There is no investigation finding that can change the loss this family is living with,” State Fire Marshal Dan Krier said. “But we hope this investigation can help bring some understanding to what happened and remind all of us how quickly a residential fire can develop. Sometimes there may be very little time to react, which is why every second matters.”
White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson called the fire “an absolute tragedy” and said the department's thoughts remain with the family, friends, neighbors and broader community six months later.
Mike Hinrichs, Jessi's husband and the children's father, also released a statement Wednesday thanking first responders, firefighters, investigators and members of the community who have supported his family since the fire.
“On the morning of March 21, my world came crashing down when the lives of my beloved wife Jessi, and our three beautiful children, sons Hudson and Cayden, and daughter Avery, were all lost to me forever in the horrible fire that destroyed our home,” Hinrichs said.
Hinrichs also thanked the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Hockey and the broader hockey community for honoring Jessi, who was deeply involved in and passionate about the sport.
He highlighted the Jessi Pierce Community Cup Hockey Tournament, which is scheduled to be played in December in her memory.
“Thank you for remembering the best of my family and for your continued prayers and support,” Hinrichs said.
A GoFundMe organized on behalf of Mike Hinrichs remains active to help with funeral expenses and provide financial support following the loss of his family. As of Sept. 24, the fundraiser had raised more than $248,000 from approximately 2,600 donations toward a $300,000 goal.
The fundraiser can be found here: Support Mike Hinrichs After Losing Jessi (Pierce) & Children.
State Fire Marshal investigators worked alongside the Ramsey County Fire Investigation Team and the White Bear Lake fire marshal during the investigation.
Officials used the findings to remind Minnesotans to maintain working smoke alarms on every level and inside sleeping rooms, consider interconnected alarms, regularly inspect electrical cords and devices for damage or overheating, and develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
The State Fire Marshal division and White Bear Lake Fire Department announced the preliminary findings during a Sept. 24 news conference at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in St. Paul.