A recent fire in Minnesota resulted in the tragic deaths of NHL reporter Jesse Pearce and three of her children. According to the White Bear Lake Fire Department, there’s currently no indication that the fire was intentionally set.
Pearce, 37, and her children, aged 4, 6, and 8, lost their lives on Saturday in a fire at their home in White Bear Lake. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze.
“We’re just in the early stages of this investigation, and so far, there’s no evidence pointing to arson,” the department noted in a statement on Monday. “Our main focus is to support those affected by this tragedy, conduct a thorough investigation, and help the first responders cope with this incident alongside the community.”
The fire department reported that a neighbor called in the fire at around 5:26 a.m. Saturday, fearing someone might be inside the house as flames were seen coming from the roof.
When fire crews arrived, they found the entire structure engulfed in flames and quickly began to put it out, as mentioned in an initial press release.
Unfortunately, all four individuals—an adult, three children, and a dog—were discovered dead inside the home.
Pearce’s children were described as being 4, 6, and 8 years old, as noted by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“We are dedicating all resources, in collaboration with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, to this investigation,” the fire department emphasized in the release.
Pearce had been covering the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for a decade and had a storied career in the sport’s reporting.
Interestingly, just a day before the fire, she had shared a photo on X of a fun outing with her children to get ice cream.
She is survived by her husband, Mike.
The Wild organization expressed its sorrow over the loss of Pearce and her children, stating, “Jesse embodied kindness and compassion, deeply caring for her family and those around her. She was a wonderful ambassador for the sport of hockey and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone who cared for them.”
Michael Russo, a fellow sports reporter for The Athletic, paid tribute to Pearce, saying, “Words can’t convey the heartbreak we all feel. Jesse was vibrant, always smiling, and had a true passion for hockey. She lit up the room and was genuinely everyone’s friend.”
He added, “Above all, she adored Hudson, Kayden, and Avery. She was the best mother, always striving to create joy for her children. Just the day before, she was so excited about taking them to the WBL’s Cup and Cone season opener, wearing her favorite Iowa State sweatshirt.”
