A St. Paul woman who died after going back into a burning home to save her daughter on August 22 is being remembered as hero.
On Saturday, the family of 38-year-old Bonnie Pierce joined Saint Paul Fire Department officials to share details about the fire and its aftermath.
The fire at a home in the 700 block of Magnolia Avenue E. was one of three fires Saint Paul firefighters responded to within a span of 90 minutes that day.
“Our firefighters began immediately searching the home,” said Interim Saint Paul Fire Chief Gregory Duren. “A firefighter located an adult female in a bedroom. As he lifted her to remove her from the home, he discovered a toddler underneath her. Another firefighter was alerted and together they brought both victims outside.”
Pierce died two days later. Her 3-year-old daughter, Grace, was hospitalized in critical condition, while Pierce's 12-year-old daughter, Aurora, escaped the home unharmed.
An online fundraising campaign for the family says Bonnie initially made it out of the home safely. But when she realized Grace was still inside, she went back into the burning home to save her. Aurora escaped by kicking out an air conditioning unit and climbing through a window, according to the fundraiser.
"Bonnie and two of her daughters, Aurora and Grace, were inside the home. Aurora bravely escaped by kicking out her air conditioning unit and climbing through the window. Bonnie initially made it out safely, but when she realized that Grace was still inside, she made the selfless decision to go back into the burning home to find her daughter. Firefighters later found Bonnie and Grace inside the home."
Jennie McGovern said her sister died saving her daughter.
"They're going to remember their mother as a funny, vivacious, whacky woman, that would giver her shirt off her back and run into a burning fire to save her daughter. In the end, Bonnie died a hero."
Duren did not provide additional details about what caused the fire, saying the investigation remains ongoing.
