A Minnesota mother died after re-entering her burning duplex in Saint Paul to shield her 4-year-old daughter from the flames. Bonnie Pierce, 38, was found by firefighters protecting her daughter, Grace, who was discovered underneath her.
Interim Saint Paul Fire Chief Gregory Duren stated that firefighters encountered extreme fire conditions and near-zero visibility while responding to the blaze. Both Pierce and Grace were transported to local hospitals. Grace survived but remains in critical condition, according to family.
The fire broke out at the duplex on August 22. Pierce had initially escaped the building but returned inside to rescue her daughter. Another of Pierce's daughters escaped the fire by breaking an air conditioning unit and climbing out a window.
Family members said Pierce was protecting her daughter "until the very end, making the ultimate sacrifice." They added that she was found unresponsive after being without oxygen for approximately 15 minutes and sustaining burns to 48 percent of her body.
Pierce, a mother of four, is also survived by a grandson. A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $80,000 to support the family.
Officials are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. This incident follows a separate fire in Richmond, California, on August 20, which claimed the lives of four family members. In that case, authorities accused Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega of intentionally starting the fire, leading to charges of murder.