Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A woman and five children were forced to flee to the roof of a Rochester residence late Monday night to escape a fire.

The Rochester Fire Department was notified just after 11 p.m. and firefighters arrived to find the group still on the roof of the home, located at 212 13th avenue southeast. They were safely rescued and checked at the scene by paramedics. A man was able to escape from the main floor.

The Fire Department says it appears the fire began in the kitchen area on the main floor, preventing the children from escaping. They were sleeping on the second floor of the home when the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is unknown.  No damage estimate has been released yet.  The residence is located a few blocks east of St. Francis Church.

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