Four Downtown Virginia Businesses Damaged in Late Night Arson Fire: 20 Year Old Virginia Man Charged with Arson
November 5, 2007 — Firefighters from six Iron Range communities (Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, Gilbert, Fayal Township and Hibbing) battled a huge fire in downtown Virginia. The fire was reported around 9:45 p.m. at 130 1/2 Chestnut Street. Virginia firefighters had to use a ground ladder to rescue several residents who were trapped in the second story apartments of the building (see picture below). Four businesses (Popper's Bar, Unclaimed Freight North, Warren's Barber Shop and the Hearing Aid Center) located on the ground floor of the building and an adjacent building were damaged while the second story apartments were either destroyed or had extensive smoke and water damage. According to the Mesabi Daily News, twenty-three people were left homeless by the blaze. Two Virginia firefighters and one occupant received minor injuries. According to Virginia Fire Marshal Roger Scott, firefighting efforts were hampered because the building had a common attic. Three aerial apparatus (Virginia, Hibbing, Gilbert) were used to battle the fire, along with numerous interior and exterior attack lines.
In another development, the Mesabi Daily News reported that 20 year old Tyler William Erickson of Virginia has been charged with seven counts of arson, burglary and criminal damage to property in connection with the fire. According to the criminal complaint, Erickson allegedly lit a woman's couch on fire using lighter fluid after the woman refused to provide him with drugs that he allegedly purchased. The St. Louis County Attorney's Office requested that bail be set at $300,000.
Damages are estimated at $1 million and are expected to go even higher.
Photos by Mike Zadra - Northland Fire Wire photojournalist
Photos associated with this article:
