Wheaton, MN (MinnesotaNow) - A fatal fire occurred early this morning in a small town near the Minnesota–South Dakota border.

The Traverse County Sheriff’s Office says a 911 caller reported the house fire just before 4 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters responded to the home along Highway 27 in Wheaton.

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Life Saving Measures Attempted

When they arrived at the scene, they found the homeowner inside the residence. The Sheriff’s Office reported that life-saving measures were attempted at the scene while the victim was being transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Victim Identified

The fire victim has been identified as 63-year-old Kevin Kruize.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting the Traverse County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation into the cause of the deadly fire.

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