Janice and Dale Peterson, both 74, were treated for burns and smoke inhalation before being transported to Hennepin County Medical Center.

ALEXANDRIA — Two Alexandria residents were transported via LifeLink III medical helicopter to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 17, for burns and smoke inhalation from a house fire.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m., the Douglas County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a house fire on Wharry Heights Road SW near the north side of Lake Mary southwest of Alexandria.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Janice and Dale Peterson, both 74, were first transported by North Memorial Ambulance to Alomere Health in Alexandria for initial treatment. Shortly afterward, both were transported to HCMC for further medical care.

While emergency personnel were en route to the residence, it was reported that Janice Peterson was still inside the residence. After emergency personnel arrived, they found the home to be fully engulfed in flames and found Dale Peterson covered in black soot.

The news release stated that Dale Peterson had been outside when the fire started and, after seeing the flames inside the home, re-entered to rescue Janice Peterson before emergency crews arrived.

The Alexandria Fire Department, along with the Garfield Fire Department, were paged to the residence and successfully extinguished the fire, according to the news release.

The residence sustained extensive damage and was deemed a total loss. The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Agencies involved with the call included the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Alexandria Fire Department, Garfield Fire Department, North Memorial Ambulance, LifeLink III and the State Fire Marshal's Office.