A Minnesota state trooper heroically ran into a burning house early Thursday in south Minneapolis and rescued two people trapped inside, according to officials.

Firefighters arrived shortly after the trooper and pulled a third person and a cat to safety.

The trooper was driving on the 900 block of 29th Avenue S. in the Seward neighborhood just before 1 a.m. when he spotted flames and heavy smoke coming from the back of a two-story residence.

He went inside and found two people and helped them get outside, Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker said.

Two people who suffered smoke inhalation were taken to a hospital for treatment. Firefighters administered CPR to the third person until paramedics arrived. That person was taken to HCMC in critical condition, Rucker said.

The trooper was treated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation but didn’t need to be taken to a hospital, Rucker said.

“Our thoughts are with the residents injured in this fire and with the state trooper who bravely entered the home before our crews arrived,” Rucker said. “Their actions, and the rapid, coordinated efforts of our firefighters and medical teams, helped prevent an even more devastating outcome. We remain hopeful for the full recovery of everyone affected.”

The house was declared a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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