November 25 – An early morning fire destroyed an apartment building in the Britt area north of Virginia. The blaze was reported around 12:00 A.M. in the 8400 block of the Nelson Road. The building, which had four apartments, was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived. One occupant was treated on the scene by the Virginia Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported. Fire departments on the scene included: Pike-Sandy-Britt, Mountain Iron, Virginia, Cook, Embarrass, Vermilion Lake, and Kinney-Great Scott. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the fire was caused by a candle in a bedroom, although the fire remains under investigation by the sheriff’s department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting at least one occupant who was displaced by the fire.

November 25 – A late morning fire in Eveleth caused extensive damage to a garage in the 800 block of Summit Street. The fire was reported around 11:00 A.M. Firefighters contained most of the blaze to the interior of the structure. No injuries were reported. The Eveleth, Fayal, Mountain Iron, Gilbert, and Virginia fire departments responded while the Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The Eveleth and Gilbert police departments assisted in traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

November 23 – One man died and two Virginia police officers were injured, the result of an early morning garage apartment fire in Virginia. According to the Virginia Police Department, officers were called to the 100 block of 2nd Street North shortly before 5:00 A.M. after getting a report of a man threatening suicide and burning down a building. The officers attempted to make contact with the man but discovered that a garage apartment in the alley in the 100 block of 1st Street North was on fire with the man still inside. The police officers tried to persuade the man to leave,but were unsuccessful and the apartment became engulfed in heavy fire and smoke. Two Virginia police officers were transported by ambulance to the Virginia hospital. One officer suffered severe burns to multiple parts of his body while the other officer was treated for smoke inhalation and later released. The Virginia, Eveleth, Fayal Township, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron fire departments responded to the blaze while the Eveleth Ambulance provided medical standby and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department assisted in securing the fire scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

November 20 – The Clinton Fire Department and EMS received quite a donation from Anheuser-Bush, one of the country’s largest brewers. The department received 2,352 cans of emergency drinking water. The huge pallet of cans was unloaded at the Clinton firehall by C&L Distributing directly from the Fort Collins, Colorado brewery. The water will help to keep firefighters hydrated during long incidents such as wildfires, structure fires, and other emergencies. ”This generous donation will significantly enhance our emergency response capabilities,” said Clinton Fire Captain Eric Monson. The water was donated by Anheuser-Busch through a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Photos provided by Clinton Fire Department Photographer Ashley Monson.

November 21 – The Bearville, Cook, Evergreen, and French Townships were dispatched this evening to a trailer house fire in Morcom Township, west of Cook. The fire was reported around 7:00 P.M. in the 9200 block of the Range Line Road. The house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, three dogs died in the blaze. A firefighter was also treated on the scene by the Cook Ambulance Service fo smoke inhalation. The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the homeowner. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

November 12 – Fire departments from across the Iron Range battled a major fire in downtown Eveleth today. The fire was reported around 5:35 A.M. at an apartment building in the 300 block of Grant Avenue. Flames and heavy smoke were seen coming from the second story at the back of the building, located right next to Johnny D’s Bar. At the height of the blaze, aerial ladders from Gilbert, Virginia, and Biwabik were put into operation. The firefighting operation taxed the city’s water supply so much that water from nearby communities had to be brought in by water tenders. Departments on the scene included: Eveleth, Fayal, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, Virginia, Clinton, Biwabik, Makinen, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Colvin Township, Cook, Palo, McDavitt, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and Lakeland. The Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fire Department provided an air supply system to fill air bottles. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.

The Northland Fire Wire website and The Northland Fire Wire Facebook Page salute our country’s veterans for their service to our country!

November 9 – A house fire in Aurora has taken the lives of one man and his three dogs. The blaze was reported around 6:30 P.M. at 17 West 6th Avenue North. The back end of the two story structure was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. A nearby neighbor attempted to enter the house several times, but was unsuccessful because of the intense smoke and flames. After the fire was knocked down, firefighters found the bodies of 70 year old Mark Weyandt and his dogs (George, Marsha, and Abigail). The East Range Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire. Departments on the scene included: Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and Palo. The Hoyt Lakes Ambulance Service provided medical standby and rehabilitation services.

November 5 – A 37 year old woman and her 12 year old son were severely burned in an explosion and fire at a cabin/hunting shack in Balkan Township, north of Chisholm. The fire was reported around 10:45 A.M. in the 11600 block of Countryside Lane Northeast. Although badly burned, the two victims were able to walk to a neighbor’s house. The Chisholm and Hibbing ambulance services transported both to the Hibbing hospital. The two were later taken by fixed wing medical aircraft to the Hennepin Burn Center in Minneapolis. The names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of family members. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, a 20 lb propane tank and heater were being used at the time to heat the cabin and caused the explosion and fire. The building was a complete loss. Departments responding to the incident included: Chisholm, French Township, Hibbing, and Buhl. The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

November 5 – Clinton Township EMS and fire department personnel responded this morning to a vehicle crash and fire. The incident was reported around 7:10 A.M. in the 9000 block of Highway 37. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver was treated on the scene by the Virginia Ambulance Service, but was not transported.