Couple in their 70s killed in Le Sueur County house fire
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A couple in their 70s is dead after being trapped inside their home during a house fire in Le Sueur County.
The sheriff's office identified the victims as 76-year-old Roman Jindra and 73-year-old Betty Jindra. The latter called 911 to report the flames inside their Montgomery Township home at about 1 a.m. Sunday.
When firefighters arrived they were driven back by heavy smoke and heat. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and gain access to the home, where they found both victims in the kitchen area.
They were pronounced dead on the scene following lifesaving efforts.
Larry Jindra, Roman's brother, says his family is still in shock. He says the Jindras were a loving couple who had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.
He says the pair spent a lot of time at St. John Lutheran Church. Roman worked as a custodian there for many years and Betty worked as a front-door worker at Walmart. Larry says the couple loved people.
"The comments that we're hearing time after time is 'nicest, kindest, warm-hearted people you would ever meet in your life,'" he said.
Larry says the community support has been overwhelming. A GoFundMe has been set up to help fund their funeral.
"They didn't have money put away for a funeral, let alone two of them," he said.
The couple was proud of their town. Roman was especially proud of his Czechoslovakian heritage, as his family was 100% Czech. They looked forward every year to Montgomery's Kalocky's Days, a Czech festival. Roman was even more excited this year for the festival's 90th anniversary.
"We'll be celebrating in their memory this year," Larry said.
Still grappling with grief, the family feels some comfort knowing Betty and Roman are together.
"It's sad that they passed away together, but we know they're going to heaven with each other, too," Larry said.
The sheriff's office said there was lightning in the area at the time of the fire, "but because investigators have not fully identified the cause of the fire, it cannot be said, what role if any, the thunderstorms had in the cause of this fire."
The state fire marshall is assisting with the investigation.
