Man, 3 Sons Escape Burning Home Near Albany

ALBANY - There was a house fire in rural Albany Saturday night.  The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the call came in just before 11:30 p.m. for a fire at 36416 245 Avenue in Albany Township, about two miles northwest of Albany.

When the deputy arrived he saw flames coming out of the northwest windows of the two story house.

Owner of the home, 32-year-old Joshua Altendahl, had been awoken by his home’s fire alarms sounding. He was able to get his three sons out of the home and into a heated shed on the property. All four occupants of the home suffered smoke inhalation but were treated at the scene by Melrose Ambulance.

The home suffered extensive damage from both smoke and fire. Albany Fire Dept was assisted by the Freeport and Avon Fire Departments.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.