Devon James Pulczinski

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating an apparent arson and suspicious death that occurred Wednesday in the city of Thief River Falls.

The Thief River Falls Fire Department found a woman dead in the home after extinguishing the fire, according to the BCA. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy. Her identity, and the cause and manner of her death are expected to be released following the initial autopsy results.

Devon James Pulczinski, 23, rented the apartment. He has been arrested on suspicion of arson and second degree murder.

The woman’s body was found in a home at 307-1/2 Arnold Ave. S. The BCA said she was found in the upstairs apartment. The home also has an apartment on the lower level.

The fire was reported at 5:37 p.m. Wednesday, according to Co-Fire Chief Marty Semanko. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they could see flames shooting out of the upstairs windows of the multi-family dwelling.

Fire gutted the top floor, Semanko said. The lower level sustained water and smoke damage. The fire department was unsure who owned the rental property.

Firefighters remained on the scene overnight to extinguish hot spots that flared up.

Other agencies involved in the investigation included the Thief River Falls Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force.

Five days before the fire, law enforcement had executed a search warrant at the same apartment. Three people have been charged with drug crimes as a result of that search warrant. All three remain in custody at the Pennington County Jail.