With the region getting various amounts of snow, here’s a great way to help our area firefighters.

November 27 – An early morning fire caused extensive damage to a home in Morse Township, south of Ely. The Morse-Fall Lake, Ely, and Babbitt fire departments were paged around 3:30 a.m. to the 1100 block of St. Louis County Highway 21. The building was already gulfed in flames and heavy smoke when the first crews arrived. Morse-Fall Lake Fire Chief Ted Krueger told The Northland Fire Wire on the scene that the fire appeared to have started in the basement of the large house and then spread through the entire structure. Several floors had burned through, making firefighting efforts extremely dangerous. No injuries were reported and two people at the home at the time were able to escape. The Eagles Nest Fire Department was also called in to provide water to the fire scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

November 25 – The Hibbing Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of this evening’s house fire. The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. in the 3700 block of 4th Avenue West. The small house had extensive damage. No injuries were reported. Fire departments on the scene included: Hibbing, Keewatin, and Chisholm. As part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), the Virginia Fire Department was also dispatched with its Ladder 1 en-route. The Virginia apparatus was later turned back.

Fires related to smoking are the leading cause of fire deaths.

November 15 – An early morning fire destroyed a garage in Hoyt Lakes. Hoyt Lakes and Aurora firefighters were dispatched to the 300 block of Elmwood Road around 5:40 a.m. The single stall garage was a total loss. No injuries were reported.

November 15 – Two campers in the Lakeland area, south of Biwabik, were damaged by fire late Monday night. The fire was reported around 10:50 p.m. in the 4400 block of Vermilion Trail. The Lakeland and Palo fire departments were on the scene. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.

November 10 – An afternoon fire destroyed a home and at least one out building in McDavitt. The fire was reported around 2:00 p.m. on the Bawden Road. The house and an out building were already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The fire was also spreading into the nearby woods and a field. No one appeared to be home at the time. No injuries were reported. Departments on the scene included: McDavitt, Cherry, Clinton, Ellsburg, Toivola, Fayal Township, Eveleth, and Alborn. An investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department.

November 3 – A 36 year old man from the Embarrass area faces numerous charges following a fire Tuesday night in Balkan Township, north of Chisholm. A garage and four vehicles were destroyed. The blaze was reported around 7:20 p.m. in the 5900 block of the Krogerus Road. A Chisholm Fire Department rescue truck, which was unoccupied and parked at the scene, was struck from behind by a pick-up truck travelling at a high rate of speed. The driver was immediately taken into custody. St. Louis County Sheriff’s officials say the suspect allegedly set the fire, was spotted by the garage owner, and then fled the scene. He later returned to the fire when he crashed into the rescue truck. Charges against the suspect include: arson, burglary, DWI, and reckless driving. No injuries were reported. “I’m very thankful that no one was injured when our truck got hit,” said Chisholm Fire Chief Chris Masucci. “We could have had some very serious injuries.” Firefighters from Chisholm, Hibbing, and French Township were dispatched to the fire. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office while the crash is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department.

October 23 – Seven people staying at the Bill’s House homeless shelter in Virginia were displaced this afternoon by a bedroom fire. The fire was reported around 4:00 in the facility, located at 210 3rd Street North. Arriving Virginia firefighters found a mattress on fire. The shelter had been evacuated and no injuries were reported. Fire departments responding to the call included: Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, and Hibbing. Efforts were being made to find housing for those who were displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office.