School, college and other closings for Monday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

State fire officials hope to build on last year's record for fewest fire fatalities. So far in 2008, 13 people have lost their lives in fires.

That compares to 21 deaths at this time last year. In the entire year of 2007, 40 people died in fires in Minnesota. 

State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl said Minnesota ranks 10th in the country for lowest fire death rate. 

"We're in real good shape in terms of the national average, as well as kind of the Upper Midwest average. Overall, nationwide, the trend is downward, but we're seeing some pretty dramatic decreases in our numbers, which is great," Rosendahl said.

Rosendahl says fire safety education and building code requirements are two of the bigger reasons for the declining fatality rate.

Gallery

Disasters

Minnesota News Network

Author

Minnesota ranks 10th in the country for lowest number of fire deaths. So far this year, 13 people have died in fires compared to 21 deaths at this time last year.

Minnesota ranks 10th nationwide in fewest fire deaths

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox