NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children died Saturday in a fire at her Minnesota home.
The family dog also perished in the fire, according to the White Bear Lake (Minn.) Fire Department.
Fire chief Greg Peterson said in a press release that firefighters from multiple locations responded to “a residential structure fire at a single-family home located at the 2100 block of Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake.” Neighbors who called 911 at 5:26 a.m. local time on Saturday morning “reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house and stated there were likely people inside of the house. Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved structure fire and immediately began fire suppression efforts. Crews were then able to locate an adult, three children and a dog inside of the house. Unfortunately, all were deceased.”
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office will conduct an investigation into the source of the fire.
“Our hearts ache for those involved in this tragedy,” the White Bear Lake F.D. said. “We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.”
Pierce, who was 37, had worked for the NHL, covering the Minnesota Wild as the correspondent for NHL.com, for 10 years.
“The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jessi Pierce and her three young children,” the league said in a statement. “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”
Bill Price, vp and editor-in-chief of NHL.com, told ESPN in a statement: “The entire NHL.com team is devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jessi and her children. Jessi’s love of her family and hockey was evident in the energy and passion she brought to her work for us. She was an absolute joy to talk to and work with. She will be deeply missed.”
Pierce and her husband, Mike, had three child together: Hudson, Cayden and Avery. According to messages posted on social media by a relative, he was out of town working at the time of the fire.
Pierce also was a co-host of the Bardown Beauties podcast.
