WADENA, Minn.–The individual who lost their life in an apartment fire in downtown Wadena late Sunday evening has been identified.
According to the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified the individual as David Henrichs, age 68 of Wadena.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Wadena Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshall’s Office. No foul play is suspected in Henrichs’ death.
The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, Wadena Police Department, Wadena County Human Services, and Wadena County Public Health, continue to work on post-incident response following Sunday night’s deadly fire.
All displaced residents who were without shelter were taken to local hotels Sunday and Monday nights while planning continued. The Wadena County Board of Commissioners signed a disaster declaration Tuesday morning which will allow those efforts to continue.
On Tuesday morning, the Wadena National Guard Armory was opened as the next step in the sheltering process due to the extreme weather conditions this week. This was made possible by an executive order from Governor Tim Walz after the request was made by the Wadena County Sheriff Michael D. Carr. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army have responded to assist with shelter operations as permeant housing is located for each displaced resident who needs assistance.
Wadena County Human Services is working to locate appropriate long-term housing for those effected. The residents of the apartment building next door to the fire site were allowed back to their residence on Tuesday morning after the scene was deemed safe by the Wadena Fire Department.
Anyone wanting to help the displaced residents, Wadena Co. Sheriff’s Office says the Initiative Foundation has partnered with the City of Wadena to accept financial donations. Donations can be made to www.givemn.org/story/wadena-fire-recorvery. There is also information on how to pay by check or over the phone on the above website.
If you have other personal items you are looking to donate, please contact Wadena County Human Services at (218) 631-7605 for guidance on what can be accepted as donations prior to dropping them off. There are several individuals and churches managing donations that are not affiliated with Wadena County and may be able to accept more items than what Wadena County is able to do says the county sheriff’s office.
“We are appreciative of their efforts to help the victims who have lost most or all of their possessions,” Wadena County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release Wednesday morning. “We would like to recognize the dedicated employees of Wadena County and the City of Wadena who have been working side by side since Sunday evening to assist the victims of this tragedy.”
More information will be released as it becomes available throughout the end of the week.