One Dead and 5-Year-Old Missing from Bemidji House Fire

One person has died and a 5-year-old girl is missing after a house fire occurred in the 3900 block of Irvine Avenue at Bemidji.

The Bemidji police and fire departments responded to the scene at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames. After the Bemidji Fire Department gained control of the fire, an adult body was discovered inside the residence.

During the investigation, it has been discovered that 5-year-old Brittany Rose Balcer had been visiting the residence the evening the fire occurred. After a complete processing of the scene she has not been located.

The Bemidji Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating her. She is approximately 34 inches tall and weighing 50lbs. She has blonde hair and green eyes was last seen wearing a black shirt, pink skirt with stars and a pink bandage on her arm covering poison ivy.

The Bemidji Police Department is investigating this death with the assistance of the Bemidji Fire Department, the State Fire Marshal, the Minnesota BCA and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any information you are encouraged to contact the Bemidji Police Department at 218-333-9111