Saint Paul fire death has left a family mourning a mother who went back for her daughter.
A Minnesota mother died after rushing back into her burning home to save her young daughter, according to her family.
Bonnie Pierce, 38, was inside a duplex in Saint Paul with two of her daughters when a fire broke out on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Firefighters responded around 3:30 p.m. to the 700 block of Magnolia Avenue East and found an active fire on the first floor of an up-and-down duplex, according to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Family Says She Went Back Inside
Pierce first made it out of the home safely, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser created for her family.
One daughter, Aurora, escaped by kicking out an air conditioning unit and climbing through a window, the fundraiser said.
But when Pierce realized her younger daughter, Grace, was still inside, her family said she went back into the burning home to find her.
Firefighters Found Mother And Daughter
Fire crews entered the duplex and rescued Pierce and the toddler. Both were taken to a local hospital, FOX 9 reported.
The family fundraiser said firefighters found Pierce “shielding Grace with her own body.”
Pierce was found unresponsive, received CPR and had been without oxygen for about 15 minutes, according to the fundraiser. Her family said she suffered burns over 48 percent of her body.
She died from her injuries on Monday, August 24.
Daughter Expected To Recover
Grace remains hospitalized as she recovers from her injuries, according to the fundraiser.
Her family said doctors expect her to make a full recovery.
Pierce is survived by her daughters, Alaynah, Aurora, Jemma and Grace, and her grandson, Atlas.
Fire Cause Still Under Investigation
The cause of the duplex fire remains under investigation, according to local reports.
FOX 9 reported that the Magnolia Avenue fire was one of three structure fires Saint Paul Fire-EMS crews responded to within about 90 minutes that Saturday afternoon.
A firefighter also suffered minor injuries during the response.
Family Asks For Support
The fundraiser says donations will help cover Grace’s medical recovery, immediate living expenses and unexpected costs facing the family.
As of Friday, August 28, the fundraiser showed more than $17,000 raised toward a $25,000 goal.
The tragedy also highlights how quickly home fires can turn deadly. The U.S. Fire Administration says residents may have less than two minutes to escape after a smoke alarm sounds.
Fire officials urge families to make an escape plan, practice it and never go back inside a burning home once they are out.