Frank Allen Piele and David John Orlando die in fatal St. Paul garage fire
Fatal St. Paul garage fire death of Frank Allen Piele and David John Orlando – Obituary
The two men who died in a tragic fire at a garage on St. Paul’s East Side have been identified as Frank Allen Piele, 63, and David John Orlando, 39. Authorities believe the victims were living in the detached garage located in the 1800 block of Sims Avenue.
The fire, which began on February 9, was suspected to have been caused when a space heater was knocked over, blocking the service door to the garage.
Firefighters responded to a neighbor’s call shortly after noon and found the garage engulfed in flames.
Investigators indicated that improper heating is the leading cause of fatal fires in cold weather. This marks St. Paul’s first fire fatalities of 2025. The city usually experiences two to three fire deaths each year.
