Duluth Wood Products Company Destroyed
June 22, 2007 — Firefighters from Duluth and nearby Superior were called in to battle a major fire at True North Cedar, 1400 Railroad Street in Duluth. The fire was called in around 8:15 a.m. and DFD Assistant Fire Chief Mitch Peterson said he could see the fire and huge smoke column from over a mile away. Peterson told The Northland Fire Wire that he made the decision from the very beginning that the fire attack would be defensive. Firefighters were faced with protecting a large storage building full of wood products along with three 500lb-propane tanks. In addition to facing these obstacles, firefighters were hampered in establishing a water supply because lumber, private boats and other equipment blocked accesses to several drafting sites. At one time during the fire, four engines had to lay out 2,900 feet of house and relay pump from closest hydrant. A fire boat from the Superior Fire Department was also called in. The building, which housed the company's sawmill operation, along with several privately owned boats were lost Damages were estimated at over $500,000. Firefighters were able to protect the storage building and none of the propane tanks exploded. No injuries were reported. A preliminary investigation showed that the fire apparently originated from a waste conveyor machine.
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