Officials with the White Bear Lake Fire Department announced Monday that a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three young children is not being treated as an arson case.
Pierce, 37, died alongside her children Saturday morning when a fire swept through their single-family home on Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
Cayden, Hudson, and Avery — aged 8, 6, and 4 — also perished in the blaze, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The fire department received a call from neighbors at 5:26 a.m. Saturday reporting a fire at the residence. Neighbors reported flames coming from the roof and stated they believed people were inside the home.
Firefighters arrived to find the structure fully engulfed.
Crews immediately launched suppression efforts upon arrival at the scene.
Inside the home, responders located one adult, three children, and a dog.
All five were found dead.
“We are in the very early stages of the investigation, and our preliminary findings have not led to any evidence that the fire was set intentionally,” the fire department stated in a Monday press release.
The department added that it is working alongside the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and dedicating all available resources to determine the cause of the fire.
“Our priorities are, first and foremost, being present for those directly affected by this tragedy, conducting a thorough investigation, and ensuring our first responders involved in this incident heal alongside the community,” officials stated.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pierce is survived by her husband, Mike.
Pierce had covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for the past decade and contributed to NHL coverage across multiple media outlets throughout her career.
The day before the fire, Pierce shared a photo on X of an ice cream outing with her three children.
The Minnesota Wild released a statement mourning the loss of Pierce and her children, Resist the Mainstream previously reported.
“Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her,” the organization said.
“She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL. Jessi and her children will be greatly missed.”
The Athletic’s Michael Russo, a fellow Wild beat reporter, paid tribute to Pierce on X on Sunday.
“Jessi Pierce (Hinrichs) was the most vibrant person – the life of the party, always with a smile on her face, always bringing a passion to every article and podcast and interview she did,” Russo wrote.
Russo also praised Pierce as a devoted mother.
“More than anything, she absolutely loved Hudson, Cayden and Avery and was the greatest mother who did everything she could to bring joy to her sweetest kids,” he wrote.
“Even at Friday’s practice in her beloved Iowa State sweatshirt, she was so excited to take them to the seasonal opening of Cup and Cone in WBL.”
Russo noted that Pierce had taken her children to the ice cream shop, Cup and Cone, on the Friday before the fire.
“Seeing those precious pics yesterday, she provided them with another incredibly fun and loving day,” he added.
