(St. James, MN) – The Watonwan County Sheriff’s office has identified the victim of a fatal house fire Friday in rural St. James.

Kent B. Olson, 60, was found deceased inside a home at 41539 695th Ave, St. James.  A release from Sheriff Jared Bergeman’s office says law enforcement was dispatched to a home for a suspicious circumstance call, and found a fire when they arrived on the scene.

Olson was discovered deceased inside the home after Odin and Ormsby fire departments were dispatched to the fire, according to the release.

An autopsy determined that Olson’s death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The state fire marshall, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Watonwan County Sheriff will continue to investigate the incident.

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