July 6- The Zion Lutheran Church in Finland was destroyed by a late night fire.  The blaze was reported just before 9:00 p.m. and nearly half a dozen fire departments responded.  No injuries were reported.  The cause was determined to be a lightning strike.

There’s a new member of the Cloquet Area Fire District and she can sniff out and find arsonists!  Her name is “Wish” and along with Arson Investigator Jason Maki, the team will definitely make a difference in cracking down on this serious crime. “Wish”, a Golden Labrador Retriever and Maki, recently completed the five week canine accelerant detection school, which was sponsored by State Fire Insurance and certified by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.  “Wish” is trained to “sniff out” gasoline and other liquid acelerants used by arsonists.  With her keen sense of smell, “Wish” has the ability to pinpoint where the fire may have started.  Obviously, with this attribute, a lot of time is saved in the investigation process. Prior to the use of K-9 teams, fire debris samples had to be submitted to forensic laboratories by investigators.  And, with this method, only a 30 to 40 percent positive result was obtained.  When K-9 teams find a possible origin site and samples are sent to the lab, they often yield an 80 to 90 percent positive result.  Since Arson is one of the most difficult crimes to solve and probably the most difficult to obtain a conviction, K-9 teams like “Wish” and Maki become a very valuable resource for the fire service.

Maki says he sees a definite value in having a K-9 partner.  “She extends my capabilities as an investigator,” he said.  “The scent-discriminating abilities of “Wish” are far better than any equipment we can take to a fire scene when the cause is suspicious.  She will lead me to the location of the accelerant and from there, I can take samples, which can be sent to the state crime labs for analysis.  I know we can definitely make a difference!”  In addition to serving the Cloquet Area Fire District, “Wish” and Maki are also available as a state resource.

Maki gives credit to the State Farm Insurance Companies for funding the canine accelerant detection school and making it available to fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the county.  Since it started in 1993, the program has placed more than 300 dogs in 44 states, three Canadian provinces and the District of Columbia.  “Training a K-9 is a very expensive proposition,” said Maki.  “Having State Farm as a partner in this is very beneficial and the end result will hopefully be a dramatic decrease in arson.”  For arsonists, perhaps they will “Wish” that the Cloquet Area Fire District and the Arrowhead Region did not have such a team!

“Wish” and CAFD Arson Investigator Jason Maki

June 19 – Virginia and Mountain Iron firefighters were dispatched around 9:20 a.m. to a report of a structure fire at the Virginia Public Utilities Steam Plant on 6th Avenue South.  According to Virginia fire officials, a cooling fan had started on fire and was contained by staff on the scene.  Crews were on the scene for about half an hour.  No injuries were reported.

Virginia FD Squad 1 arrives on the scene.

Light smoke is seen coming from the roof of the Virginia Public Utilities Plant.

Firefighters from five fire departments were called to a major fire in downtown Cook during the evening of June 17. The fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. at  114 South River Street.  Two businesses(Gilley’s Naturals and the Dollar Barn) were located in the building, along with several upstairs apartments. No injuries were reported.  The building was a total loss.  The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department investigated the fire, which was determined to have started in Gilley’s Naturals and was accidental in nature.

June 15 – The Eveleth Fire Department, in cooperation with Advanced (Customized Training-Mesabi Range College) and the Cloquet Area Fire District (CAFD), hosted an “On Deck” or Rapid Intervention Team training session on June 12 and June 15.  The course was held at the Eveleth firehall and the Eveleth Public Works facility.  Firefighters from Eveleth, Fayal Township, Mountain Iron, Lakeland and Makinen participated in the training, which included classroom and hands on exercises.  A highlight of the training was the use of the CAFD’s training tower, allowing firefighters to practice a wide range of skills from forcible entry to ladder rescue.  Another key element of the training was the establishment of a Rehab area, which is considered vital in all fire and rescue operations.  For more information on fire training through Advanced, call Fire Program Manager Steve Flaherty at 218-749-7770.

The Virginia Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office are continuing their investigation into a house fire on May 22nd.  The fire was reported around 3:50 p.m. at 801 8th Street South.  Firefighters from Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth and Fayal assisted in fighting the blaze, which started in the basement of the house.  Two family dogs died in the fire.  The fire is not suspicious in nature.   Photo by Mike Zadra for The Northland Fire Wire.

June 6 – Firefighters from Breitung Township, Tower, Greenwood, Eagles Nest, Vermilion Lake and Embarrass battled a garage fire this afternoon in Breitung Township.  The fire was reported at 5111 Highway 169.  The huge garage received extensive damage.  No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Former Silver Bay Fire Chief John Fredrickson, age 54, passed away on Saturday, May 18 at his home.  Chief Fredrickson was a 34 year member of the Silver Bay Fire Department and served as Fire Chief for 24 years.  He was named December 2012 Firefighter of the Month by The Northland Fire Wire website.

May 16 – Firefighters from Gilbert, Fayal Township and Eveleth battled a late night fire in the 300 block of Wisconsin Avenue West.  The fire was reported around 10:45 p.m. and involved two houses.  A third house had damage when its vinyl siding melted.  No injuries were reported.  Two of houses were extensively damaged.  The cause of the fire was determined to be a discarded cigarette.  The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the fire investigation.