WADENA, Minn.– A downtown apartment fire in Wadena has claimed one life and left dozens without their homes.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal division is assisting after a deadly fire Sunday night at 123 Bryant Ave. SE in Wadena.

Crews were called to the scene on Sunday at 10:46 p.m. and found heavy flames coming from an upstairs window.

One person was found deceased. Their identify will be shared by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office once family is notified. Twelve other residents were displaced due to the fire Sunday night. This also comes during a week with dangerously cold temperatures, with multiple days this week expected to have daily highs below 0 degrees.

Seven residents were evacuated from a nearby apartment building at 115 Bryant Ave. SE. Those residents will be able to return to their homes soon according to the Wadena Fire Department. Temporary housing for the 12 displaced residents is being offered at the AmericInn of Wadena.

Officials with WFD add that subzero temperatures and wind chills made firefighting efforts more difficult. Four trucks and two ladders froze up while they fought the smoke and flames. Crews were on scene until Monday afternoon.

Assisting WDF was the Verndale Fire, Staples, Fire, Bluffton Fire, Deer Creek Fire, Sebeka Fire, Perham Fire, Wadena Police Department, Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, Astera Health, and Wadena Iron and Metal.