Victim of Osage structure fire identified
News | Published on March 3, 2026 at 3:04pm EST | Author: frazeevergas
0An Osage woman who was pronounced dead at the scene of a structure fire Wednesday, Feb. 18 has been identified by the Becker County Sheriff’s Office as Anita Charlene Gruel, 79, of Osage.
The Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 4:24 a.m., of a structure fire in Osage, approximately 30 miles east of Detroit Lakes.
A male resident of the home flagged down a passing motorist on St. Hwy. 34 and advised of the fire and that a female was possibly still inside the home.
Carsonville and Park Rapids Fire Departments responded to the scene along with a Sheriff’s deputy.
Gruel was later found inside the residence and pronounced deceased at the scene.
Anita’s son, Charles Lane Gruel, 48, also of Osage, was treated for potential injuries resulting from the fire.
The incident remains under investigation.
Carsonville Fire and Rescue, Park Rapids Fire Department, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, and North Memorial Ambulance assisted the Sheriff’s Office.