The Northland FireWire

October 24 – Firefighters from the Clinton, Cherry, and Kinney-Great Scott fire departments participated in a joint training session this evening at the Clinton Fire Department. According to organizers, the classroom and hands-on training focused on lithium-ion battery fires and fuel fires. With more and more electric vehicles (EV’s) on the road, the training also included EV fires and the special hazards such vehicles present. All three fire departments (Clinton, Cherry, Kinney-Great Scott) respond as mutual aid to fires and other incidents in each other’s communities. Photos: Clinton Fire Department.

October 27 – Fire departments from Eveleth, Fayal, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, Virginia, Clinton, Biwabik, and Central Lakes battle two house fires in Eveleth this afternoon. The fire was reported around 3:00 P.M. in the 600 block of Douglas Avenue. When the first firefighters arrived, they found one house engulfed in smoke and flames with the fire spreading to an adjacent house. Crews worked to keep the blaze from spreading further. No injuries were reported, but a cat and rabbit perished while one cat was rescued by firefighters. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene while the Eveleth and Gilbert police departments assisted in traffic control. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

October 24 – The Gilbert, Eveleth, Fayal, and City of Biwabik fire departments were dispatched this afternoon to a report of a structure fire in Gilbert. The call came in around 3:20 at a residence in the 100 block of Louisiana Avenue West. Using fire extinguishers, Gilbert police officers were able to contain the fire to the stove. Gilbert firefighters checked the kitchen area for possible fire spread while the other departments were put on standby. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.

October 25 – The Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin fire departments were dispatched this afternoon to a possible structure in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 4:40 at a garage apartment located in the 2100 block of 2nd Avenue West. Arriving firefighters discovered a dryer fire on the ground floor of the building. The fire was contained to the dryer, which was a complete loss. No injuries were reported and crews were on the scene for less than an hour.

The Colvin Fire Department, located on St. Louis County Highway 4, has scheduled an open house for this upcoming weekend. Please see the poster shown below.

October 18 – The Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department has a new piece of equipment in service. It’s a 2023 GMC 2500 that is being used for EMS, rescue, and command operations. The cost of “Truck 5” was put around $55,000. It’s first call was today when it responded to a semi tractor-trailer crash on U.S. Highway 53, just north of Virginia. At this incident, Truck 5 was used to assist in traffic control. The apparatus replaces an older pick-up truck.

October 18 – Firefighters from Virginia and Pike-Sandy-Britt were paged out this morning to a crash involving two semi tractor-trailer vehicles. The crash was reported around 10:00 A.M. in the northbound lane of Highway 53, just north of Virginia. Both drivers appeared to be uninjured, according to fire officials on the scene. The northbound lane was closed for just over an hour, resulting in a huge traffic backup. The crash is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.

October 18 – Virginia Fire Marshal Jake Keehl (standing) and Virginia Paramedic/Firefighter Mario DelGreco address students at the Marquette School in Virginia about fire safety. The importance of smoke alarms and having a fire escape plan were emphasized to the children.

October 17 – Students from the Laurentian Elementary School in Eveleth took part in a fire drill this morning. The Eveleth, Fayal, Mountain Iron, and Gilbert fire departments were at the school to help coordinate the exercise.

October 16 – The Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia fire departments were dispatched late Monday evening to an apartment house fire in Hibbing. The blaze was reported around 10:55 P.M. in the 2300 block of 7th Avenue East, often referred to as Bob Dylan Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters saw flames and smoke coming from the two story structure. A second alarm was requested, bringing the Cherry and Nashwauk departments to the scene. The majority of the fire was contained to the basement area, although the entire structure had heat and smoke damage. All of occupants were able to safely evacuate the building and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Marshal’s Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to those displaced by the fire.