A 38-year-old St. Paul mother died after suffering severe injuries in a house fire, where firefighters found her shielding her 3-year-old daughter after she went back inside the burning home to save her.
Bonnie Pierce died Aug. 24, two days after the Aug. 22 fire that devastated her family, according to a GoFundMe organized on their behalf.
Pierce and two of her daughters, 12-year-old Aurora and 3-year-old Grace, were inside the home when the fire broke out.
Aurora escaped by kicking out an air-conditioning unit and climbing through a window, according to the fundraiser.
Pierce also initially made it out of the home safely. But after realizing Grace was still trapped inside, she went back into the burning house to find her youngest daughter.
Firefighters later found Pierce and Grace inside the home, with Pierce shielding the little girl with her body, according to the GoFundMe.
“Bonnie was protecting her daughter until the very end, making the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save her child,” the fundraiser states.
Pierce was unresponsive when firefighters reached her, and first responders immediately began CPR.
According to the fundraiser, she had been without oxygen for approximately 15 minutes and suffered burns over 48% of her body.
Despite efforts by first responders and medical personnel to save her, Pierce died from her injuries two days later.
Grace survived and remains hospitalized while recovering from her injuries. The family said she is expected to make a full recovery.
Pierce leaves behind four daughters: Alaynah, 18; Aurora, 12; Jemma, 7; and Grace, 3, who turns 4 later this month.
Family ‘praises her courage’
In a statement provided to Alpha News, the Pierce family described the magnitude of their loss — and the courage Pierce displayed in her final moments.
“The loss of Bonnie has been devastatingly profound on her family and friends. To lose someone in such a tragedy comes in waves of grief that are unimaginable to explain,” the family said. “Though we grieve her loss, we also praise her courage and quick thinking to save her youngest daughter.”
The family remembered Pierce as someone whose personality could transform ordinary moments into lasting memories.
“She was strong-willed, quick witted, occasionally stubborn and had the unique ability to turn regular moments into unforgettable memories,” the family said.
They said they will especially miss Pierce’s “infectious laugh” and “slingshot comebacks.”
“There is no shortage of Bonnie stories and all of which will be told over and over again to her daughters as they grow,” the family said.
A GoFundMe established for the family has raised more than $150,000 to help cover expenses and the girls’ ongoing needs.
“The family would like to extend a thank you to everyone who has donated or prayed during this difficult time,” the family said.
Among the hundreds of donations were messages of support for Pierce’s family and praise for her final act of courage.
“‘Greater love has no one than this …’ (John 15:13). Praying that the Lord will wrap you in His comfort. As a mama of young children, my heart is broken with you all and inspired by your mama’s love and bravery,” one donor wrote.
The St. Paul Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
