Three people were injured — one critically — in a house fire early Thursday in Minneapolis. Fire officials say a Minnesota state trooper spotted the fire and went into the burning home to help evacuate the residents.

The fire was reported just before 1 a.m. on 29th Avenue South, just south of Interstate 94.

It was the state trooper who reported the fire — with heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the two-story home.

“Before firefighters arrived, the state trooper entered the home and assisted two residents out of the structure. Crews were informed that one additional resident remained inside. Firefighters quickly deployed hose lines to attack the fire while another crew made entry to conduct a rescue,” the Minneapolis Fire Department reported.

The third resident was located and rescued from the home. Of the three people rescued — two were taken to a hospital in stable condition, and the third in critical condition. The state trooper was evaluated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation.

“Our thoughts are with the residents injured in this fire and with the state trooper who bravely entered the home before our crews arrived. Their actions, and the rapid, coordinated efforts of our firefighters and medical teams, helped prevent an even more devastating outcome,” Minneapolis Fire Department Assistant Chief Melanie Rucker said in a news release. “We remain hopeful for the full recovery of everyone affected.”

Firefighters also rescued a cat from the home. The fire was brought under control in about two hours; the house was deemed uninhabitable after the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.