Rural Le Sueur County couple killed in house fire

A Montgomery Township couple in their 70s were pronounced dead Sunday morning after being trapped in a house fire.

The victims, 73-year-old Betty Jindra and her husband, 76-year-old Roman Jindra, were inside their home on Jindra Lane when a fire broke out and trapped them inside. Betty called 911 at approximately 12:54 a.m. to report the fire and ask for help.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Montgomery and Le Center Fire Departments and Ambulance Services raced to the scene. The first arriving deputy attempted to enter the home, but the heavy smoke and heat prevented them from getting inside.

The Montgomery Fire Department arrived on the scene entered the residence to find the Jindras in the kitchen area. The firefighters were removed the victims from the house and brought them outside, where emergency medical services attempted life saving efforts on the couple. However, Betty and Roman Jindra they were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their bodies will be sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, to determine the cause and manner of death.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and vented smoke from the residence and completed salvage and overhaul operations. The State Fire Marshall was called to the fire scene to assist the Sheriff’s Office in determining the cause and origin of the fire.

In the wake of Roman and Betty Jindra’s death, a GoFundMe was organized to help their daughter Jessica and her husband Eric Brunsberg with the funeral expenses.