STAPLES, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal fire that occurred in rural Staples, Minnesota, this morning. First responders arrived at the scene just before 11:00 a.m. to find a residential structure fully engulfed in flames. Fire crews managed to extinguish the blaze and discovered the body of an adult male inside the home. Two other adults were taken to a hospital in Staples for treatment of smoke inhalation. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of family members. An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death. Additionally, another structure on the property sustained damage from the fire. Assisting at the scene were the Staples Fire Department, Motley Fire Department, Pequot Lakes Fire Department, Staples Ambulance, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.