The Northland FireWire

February 28 – A fast moving fire caused extensive damage to an apartment building in downtown Virginia. The fire was reported around 10:00 a.m. in the 200 block of 3rd Avenue North. Heavy fire and smoke were spotted at the back of the building, which is within a block of the Virginia firehall. The fire quickly spread through the second floor and attic area of the building. A woman occupant was rescued by law enforcement officers and firefighters when the fire cut off her escape route. The nine occupants were displaced and two cats were rescued. Five firefighters received minor injuries. The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross was assisting the displaced residents. Fire departments responding to the fire alarm included: Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth and Hibbing. A second alarm brought in: Fayal, Gilbert, and Pike-Sandy-Britt. The Chisholm Fire Department provided two apparatus, which were stationed at the Virginia firehall in order to provide fire response in the Virginia area. The Eveleth and Hoyt Lakes ambulance services provided medical standby at the height of the fire. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.

February 25/26 – Four Iron Range fire departments were kept busy Thursday night and Friday morning with two separate house fires in Virginia. The first fire was reported around 10:10 p.m. Thursday in the 800 block of 13th Street North. The fire was contained to the basement area at the back of house. One occupant was evaluated for possible smoke inhalation by Virginia paramedic/firefighters. No injuries were reported. At around 2:40 a.m., another house fire was reported in 100 block of 2nd Street South. Flames and smoke could be seen coming from the small house, with heavy fire on the main floor. All of the occupants were able to safely evacuate the house. No injuries were reported, but the home had extensive damage. In both fires, crews from Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, and Hibbing were dispatched as part the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS). The fires are under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office.

February 25 – The Tower, Breitung Township, and Greenwood Township fire departments were paged out this morning to a snowmobile fire at the gas pumps at Vermilion Fuel & Food in Tower. The fire was reported around 10:00 a.m. The owner of the snowmobile did have his clothing catch fire, but he was not injured. The snowmobile was a complete loss. Photos provided by The Timberjay newspaper.

February 23 – A garage near Nashwauk was destroyed by fire this morning. The blaze was reported around 9:15 a.m. in the 39000 block of Itasca County Road 336. The Balsam Township and Nashwauk fire departments responded. The Nashwauk Ambulance Service was also on the scene to provide medical standby. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The garage was heated by a wood burning stove.

February 22 – The Buhl, Chisholm, and Kinney-Great Scott fire departments were dispatched this evening (Monday) to a report of a house fire in Buhl. The fire was reported around 11:45 p.m. in the 400 block of Culver Avenue. A Buhl fire department official told The Northland Fire Wire that the fire was contained to the ceiling of the kitchen. It is suspected that the fire was electrical in nature. No injuries were reported.

February 21 – Eight Iron Range fire departments were involved in battling a fire at an industrial type building in Hibbing tonight. The fire was reported around 8:15 p.m. in the 1900 block of First Avenue. Arriving Hibbing firefighters saw smoke and flames in the large single story-l shaped building. The initial box alarm called for the Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia fire departments. Additional resources were requested from the Cherry, Silica, Nashwauk, and Fayal Township departments. The Virginia Fire Department’s aerial ladder was positioned near the building and was used to provide a master stream into the structure. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting.

February 16 – Nine fire departments battled a late night fire in the downtown Mountain Iron area. The fire was reported around 10:00 p.m. in the 5700 block of Marble Avenue. The home was extensively damaged. No injuries were reported. Fire departments on the scene included: Mountain Iron, Virginia, Fayal Township, Kinney-Great Scott, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Clinton, Cherry, Gilbert, and Eveleth. It appeared the fire was in the siding of the two story house and then spread to the upper floor. Firefighters removed siding from the south side of the house and the Virginia Fire Department’s aerial ladder was used to control the fire in the front of the structure. Crews remained on the scene throughout the night and into early Wednesday morning. The temperature at the scene was around -20. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

February 15 – Keewatin, Nashwauk, and Hibbing firefighters battled a house fire in Keewatin this afternoon. The blaze was reported around 3:00 p.m. in the 300 block of Howard Avenue West. The two story house was already “fully involved” when Keewatin firefighters first arrived. The Nashwauk and Hibbing fire departments were called for mutual aid and Hibbing’s aerial apparatus was used to help bring the fire under control. No injuries were reported and initial radio reports said the house was safely evacuated. The house was extensively damaged. The Nashwauk Ambulance Service was on the scene to provide medical standby. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

January 29 – Chisholm, Buhl, and Hibbing firefighters were dispatched tonight to a report of a house fire in Chisholm. The call came in around 9:45 p.m. in the 300 block of 5th Street Southwest. Chisholm Fire Chief Chris Masucci told The Northland Fire Wire that the fire was contained primarily to the kitchen area, although firefighters did check for fire extension in other areas. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

January 23 – A large shop building at the Wolfridge Golf Course, south of Cook, was extensively damage this morning by fire. The fire was reported at 11:15 a.m. on the Savage Road. A major part of the building was destroyed while the rest of the structure had extensive smoke and water damage. Firefighters from Cook, Evergreen, Orr, Pike-Sandy-Britt, and Mountain Iron battled the fire, which required the use of several water tenders. No injuries were reported. The Cook Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene.