Twin Cities Man Saves Girlfriend, Loses Service Dog in House Fire

Leopoldo Martinez recovering from severe burns after heroic rescue attempt.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:36pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene depicting the blurred silhouette of a person and their service dog in a moment of comfort, conveying a sense of melancholy and emotional connection.The tragic loss of a beloved service dog underscores the resilience and emotional bonds forged by those who have overcome trauma to build new lives.Little Canada Today

A Twin Cities man named Leopoldo Martinez is recovering in the hospital after suffering severe burns while trying to save his girlfriend from a house fire. Tragically, Martinez's beloved service dog Duke perished in the blaze after Martinez was unable to rescue him.

Why it matters

The story highlights the bravery and selflessness of Martinez in risking his own safety to save his girlfriend, as well as the devastating loss of his service dog who provided crucial emotional support. It also shines a light on the challenges faced by asylum seekers like Martinez who have overcome trauma and built new lives in the U.S.

The details

The fire broke out on March 25 when a propane tank caught fire on Martinez's deck in Little Canada, Minnesota. Martinez had gone inside to grab some vegetables when his dog Duke alerted him to the flames. Martinez was able to get his girlfriend out safely, but when he tried to go back in to rescue Duke, the fire had already taken over the home. Martinez believes Duke, who was also his service dog, got scared and hid in a room as the fire spread, tragically perishing in the blaze.

  • The fire occurred on March 25, 2026.
  • Martinez is currently recovering at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

The players

Leopoldo Martinez

A Twin Cities man who suffered severe burns while trying to rescue his girlfriend and service dog from a house fire. Martinez is an asylum seeker from Mexico who had relied on his dog Duke for emotional support after experiencing trauma and threats from a drug cartel in his home country.

Duke

Martinez's beloved service dog who tragically perished in the house fire. Duke provided crucial emotional support to Martinez, who had PTSD from his experiences in Mexico.

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What they’re saying

“The fire moving quickly from the deck to the roof, and I realized I needed to get my girlfriend out of the house.”

— Leopoldo Martinez

“He could always tell when I was having a bad day and he would move closer to me and provide emotional support. He's my hero.”

— Leopoldo Martinez

“Even when you go through the worst thing in your life like a fire and you get hurt and burned, you always have the opportunity to start over again. And when life gives you that opportunity, you have to take it.”

— Leopoldo Martinez

What’s next

Friends in Martinez's carpenter's union have set up a GoFundMe page to help him pay for losses from the fire, as he does not have homeowner's insurance.

The takeaway

This tragic story highlights the bravery and resilience of immigrants like Leopoldo Martinez, who have overcome immense challenges to build new lives in the U.S. only to face further hardship. Despite his devastating loss, Martinez remains hopeful for the future and is determined to start over, demonstrating the strength of the human spirit.