Goodhue County Sheriff Still Investigating Fire Death

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the fire that destroyed the Barb and Jerry Peterson house in Kenyon.  The fire was reported 6:14 p.m. New Year's Eve initially as the Kenyon Country Club on fire.

The Peterson house is nestled in woods to the north of the Country Club in Holden Township.

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office news release says, "Upon arrival, firefighters located human remains in a burnt vehicle parked outside of the residence."  The Kenyon Fire Department was assisted by Wanamingo Fire Department in responding to the fire along with the Kenyon Police Department and Goodhue County Sheriff's Office.

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office did not identify the exact address of the home or the homeowners.  They did say the owners were accounted for.

I checked with a few people in Kenyon to confirm it was the Peterson house.  I was told the vehicle did not belong to them or any of their family members.  Barb and Jerry were in Arizona and have returned to Kenyon.  All family members have been located.

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office news release stated, "An autopsy will be performed by the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office to positively identify the deceased."

I spoke a few times since Saturday with the Goodhue County Sheriff's Department and they still have not been given a positive identification.

Chief Deputy Jeremy Lerfald told KDHL they are working with the Medical Examiner but were given no timeline on when they could expect an identification.

Lerfald did say the department, "Has some possible leads in the case"  to determine who was in the vehicle.

He said the cause of the fire also remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office.