Four injured in fish house fire on Upper Red Lake

Waskish Township, Beltrami County, MN – On January 1st, 2022 at approximately 12:39PM the Beltrami County 911 Emergency Communications Center received a report of a fire in a fish house on Upper Red Lake. It was reported that a propane tank had exploded within the fish house injuring the four occupants. While emergency personnel were responding, the occupants were taken to an area resort to await arrival of first responders. Due to the travel distance to a medical facility and type of injury, two air ambulances were dispatched to the Waskish Airport.

Upon arrival of Sheriff’s Deputies a male and female had already been transported by ambulance to the Waskish Airport to meet the air ambulances. A second male and female were being treated by emergency medical services at the resort for burn related injuries. The occupants of the fish house indicated they were utilizing 20lb propane tanks and a heating mechanism when a hissing sound was heard. After the valves were closed on the tank a large fireball filled the fish house.

Deputies located the structure approximately 2.5 miles from shore on the northeast side of Upper Red Lake. It was described as a rigid frame wheeled portable fish house that had several areas on the exterior that were melted and burned. Two propane tanks were located within the structure and appeared to be intact. Two males and two females were transported by ground and air ambulance. The extent of their injuries and current condition is unknown.

Responding to the fire was the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Blackduck Ambulance, Bemidji Ambulance, Sanford AirMed, Kelliher Fire Department, Kelliher First Responders and bystanders.

Sheriff Ernie Beitel

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office