1 Dead In Early Morning House Fire In St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One man is dead in an early morning house fire, where eight others were able to escape, according to authorities.

The St. Paul Fire Department said the fire began because of careless smoking in bed. Three of the homes smoke detectors were apparently disconnected.

Crews were called to the 700 block of North Lexington, in St. Paul, just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Firefighters quickly put out the flames, but once they searched the building, they found a man's body in the basement.

The victim has been identified as 38-year-old "Gumtoro." According to the St. Paul Fire Department's twitter page, his cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Authorities say the victim was sleeping in a bedroom in the basement that didn't have windows big enough to escape.

He died before help could arrive.

The American Red Cross said they are helping five adults and three kids following the house fire.

This is the third fire death in St. Paul this year.