WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — Investigators have determined that the deadly house fire that killed NHL journalist Jessi Pierce and her three children in White Bear Lake in March was accidental and began with electrical equipment in a home office.
The preliminary findings were released Thursday, about six months after the March 21 fire. State Fire Marshal Dan Krier said investigators traced the fire to an office that did not have its own electrical outlet. Power had been brought into the room from an adjoining space through an extension cord, with additional electrical equipment connected in the office.
Investigators identified extension cords, plug adapters and surge protectors in the area where the fire began. Officials said the exact individual component that failed could not be determined, but the overall cause was identified as overheating electrical equipment.
Pierce, who also used the name Jessi Hinrichs, died in the fire along with her children, Hudson, 8, Cayden, 6, and Avery, 4. The family’s dog also died. Her husband, Mike Hinrichs, was away on a business trip when the fire broke out.
Fire moved faster than the family could escape
The home was a 1952 rambler, and investigators said its age played a role in some of the conditions surrounding the fire. Older homes typically have fewer electrical outlets than houses built under newer standards, which can lead homeowners to rely on extension cords and other equipment to provide power where outlets are unavailable.
The investigation also looked closely at the home’s smoke alarms and how quickly the fire spread.
Fire modeling indicated that a smoke alarm would have activated roughly four to five minutes after the fire began. By then, the home’s main escape route had become extremely dangerous because of the amount of smoke and heat. That left the family with only about a minute to wake up, recognize the danger and attempt to get out.
Officials believe the family was alerted to the fire and was attempting to evacuate together. The rapid spread of the blaze, rather than a lack of an apparent attempt to escape, was a major factor in how little time was available.
The home’s roof also collapsed during the fire, making parts of the investigation more difficult. Investigators had to rely in part on fire modeling to reconstruct how the blaze developed and how quickly conditions inside the home changed.
A family remembered by Minnesota’s hockey community
Pierce spent years covering the Minnesota Wild and the NHL and was also a co-host of the Bardown Beauties hockey podcast. Her death, along with the loss of her three children, deeply affected Minnesota’s hockey community.
During Thursday’s announcement, officials shared a statement from Mike Hinrichs thanking firefighters, investigators and the many people who supported his family following the tragedy.
He also expressed gratitude to the Minnesota Wild, the NHL and the wider hockey community for standing with the family during the months since the fire.
The investigation has also preserved a picture of the family life inside the home. Officials described seeing children’s belongings, bunk beds, family photographs and hockey memorabilia while examining the damaged property.
The Minnesota Wild had previously remembered Pierce as someone who cared deeply about her family and the people around her and as a dedicated part of the hockey community.
Community continues to honor Jessi Pierce
The family’s loss continues to be remembered through the local hockey community. A Jessi Pierce Community Cup is scheduled for December at Tria Rink in St. Paul, with proceeds planned to support women pursuing careers in sports media.
The preliminary investigation is not yet the final written report. State fire officials said the full report is expected to be released within about 30 days.
Fire officials urge homeowners to check electrical equipment
The investigation has also prompted renewed attention to electrical safety in homes, particularly when extension cords, power strips and charging devices are used.
Fire officials recommend plugging appliances and devices directly into wall outlets whenever possible and replacing cords that show signs of damage or fraying. Cords or electrical equipment that become unusually warm should no longer be used.
Homeowners are also advised to use electrical products that have been tested by recognized safety organizations, including products carrying marks such as UL, ETL or CSA.
Charging devices should be placed on a hard, stable surface rather than a bed, pillow or sofa. Fire officials also recommend unplugging chargers and devices after charging is complete.
Smoke alarms remain another critical part of home fire safety. Officials recommend having working alarms on every level of a home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms, testing them monthly and replacing alarms that are more than 10 years old.
Interconnected smoke alarms can provide an additional warning because when one alarm detects smoke, other connected alarms can sound as well.
Families are also encouraged to create and practice a fire escape plan, identify two possible ways out of sleeping areas and establish a meeting location a safe distance from the home.
The White Bear Lake investigation serves as a reminder of how quickly a residential fire can change conditions inside a house, particularly while people are sleeping. Having functioning alarms, clear escape routes and a practiced evacuation plan can give families more time to react when every second matters.
