The Northland FireWire

The investigation continues into a recent fire in Solway Township. The investigation involves the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department. Here’s the official news release.

September 28 – Dozens of residents from the Hibbing area took part in this year’s Open House hosted by the Hibbing Fire Department. City officials were also present to explain the need for a new public safety building which would house the police department, ambulance service, and police department.

Multiple public safety organizations ranging from the Hibbing Fire Department to area ambulance services to the Hibbing and Virginia hospitals participated in a training exercise held Wednesday, September 25, at the Range Regional Airport in Hibbing. The exercise involved a passenger plane crash involving 40 victims. Responding fire personnel had to deal with a simulated fire while medical crews had to triage and transport the patients. The emergency departments at the hospitals were also put on standby to handle the influx of crash victims. According to Hibbing EMS Coordinator Kristi McCormick, a number of lessons were learned from the exercise. “The unified command system involving multiple responders worked well,” said McCormick. “Pre-planning for an event like this is also extremely helpful.” McCormick also credited the various organizations which took part. “Nursing students, members of the Minnesota Wilderness NA3HL hockey team, and others volunteered to be victims,” she said. Nearly 20 groups participated and the Pizza Ranch in Hibbing provided food after the drill concluded.

September 26 – Five fire departments (Cotton, Ellsburg, Central Lakes, Kelsey, Grand Lake) were dispatched late this morning to a pole barn fire in the Cotton area. The blaze was reported around 11:45 in the 7100 block of the Bug Creek Road. The building was engulfed in flames when crews first arrived and was a total loss. The cause is under investigation.

September 27 – A garage in Aurora was heavily damaged by fire this morning. The Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and Palo fire departments dispatched around 6:40 a.m. to the area of South 5th Street West. The garage was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived. The Hoyt Lakes Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in investigating the cause of the fire.

September 22 – Chisholm firefighters were dispatched early this morning to a report of an attic fire in Chisholm. The call came in shortly before 2:00 a.m. in the 800 block of 1st Avenue Northwest. Firefighters determined it was a small porch fire, which was quickly extinguished. No damage occurred to the main structure. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

September 16 – Three Iron Range fire departments (Fayal, Eveleth, Gilbert) responded late this afternoon to a possible fire at the Ely Lake Shortstop in Fayal Township. The incident was reported around 5:40 p.m. Firefighters quickly determined that there was no active fire, although there was some smoke in the building. The source of the smoke was not found. The Eveleth and Gilbert departments were cancelled while enroute. The Eveleth Police Department, which serves Fayal Township, provided traffic control at the scene.

September 13 – Firefighters from Fredenberg Township were dispatched tonight to a cabin fire. Here’s the official media release courtesy of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department.

September 15 – Pike~Sandy-Britt firefighters battled a pick-up truck fire this afternoon in the 5900 block of County Road 21 in Pike Township. The call came in around 2:10 p.m. The vehicle was a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Cherry Fire Department is seeking folks interested in joining the organization. The department serves an area east of Hibbing from its main station located on State Highway 37.