Neighbors rescue 74-year-old

St. Paul man from burning home

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A 74-year-old St. Paul man was rescued from his burning home by two of his neighbors who were working outside when the house exploded and burst into flames.

Israel Melendez and Paul Warner told reporters they were working on a truck about 2 p.m. Saturday when they heard a loud boom. They saw flames and debris falling around the house owned by Michael Schultz, who was known around the neighborhood as Sarge.

After the two neighbors tried unsuccessfully to kick in the door to Schultz’s home, Melendez broke through a window on the first floor. He found Schultz lying on the living room floor and with the help of Warner, moved him to safety.

Schultz was taken to a local hospital, where he was listed in fair condition Saturday evening.

Minnesota conservation

officer thrown off boat, dies

PINE CITY, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer died after being thrown from a boat while responding to a call about a possible body in a lake near Pine City.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports the officer has been identified as Eugene Wynn. He’d been a conservation officer since 2001.

Wynn was responding with Pine County Sheriff’s deputies Friday night to a report from anglers that there might be a body in Cross Lake. The sheriff’s office says Wynn and a deputy were thrown from their boat within a minute of launching into the lake.