Bonnie Pierce, a 38-year-old mother, died after re-entering her Saint Paul, Minnesota, duplex to rescue her young daughter from a fire that broke out Saturday afternoon. Pierce was initially inside the home with her two daughters when the blaze began.
One of Pierce's daughters escaped the fire by breaking an air conditioning unit and climbing out of a window to safety. However, upon realizing her toddler remained inside, Pierce ran back into the burning structure. Firefighters discovered Pierce unresponsive, having been without oxygen for approximately 15 minutes, according to a GoFundMe page established in her memory.
Fire crews found Pierce shielding her daughter, Grace, with her own body. She sustained burns covering 48% of her body and was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries on Monday. Her daughter, Grace, remains hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery.
Family members have initiated a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills, immediate living expenses, and support Pierce's surviving children. The fundraiser had surpassed half of its $15,000 goal as of Thursday morning.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Saint Paul Fire Department and Saint Paul Police.