Three dead and five injured in Lake Holcombe house fire

TOWN OF LAKE HOLCOMBE — Three people died and five were injured in a structure fire reported at 8:45 a.m. Friday, April 26, in the Town of Lake Holcombe in Chippewa County.

The Cornell fire department and Cornell EMS responded to the scene, along with medical helicopters to transport the injured.

According to a news release from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, one of the deceased has been identified as Robert J. Minder, 82, who was the owner of the residence. Five-year-old Joseph M.R. Sigsworth also died, along with Josh L. Peacock, 22, of Glen Flora.

The injured have been identified as Robert M. Minder Jr.,age 52; Robert J. Minder III, age 22; Tabatha M. Joworski, age 30; Darlene M. Minder, age 51; and Dillon J. Minder, age 2.

Robert Minder Jr., and Robert Minder III were treated and released at St Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls.

Darlene Minder, Tabatha Minder, and Dillon Minder are in Regions Hospital, condition unknown.

Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department investigators and agents from the state Fire Marshall’s office continued their investigation of the fire on Saturday.

More updates will become available from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department as the investigation progresses.

The residence and contents are reported to be a complete loss.

Investigators are using an excavator and other equipment to assist in the investigation as the remaining structure is unstable. The bodies of the deceased were removed by the Chippewa County Coroner’s Office late Friday afternoon, and forensic autopsies were scheduled for Monday, April 29, according to the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department.