Iron Range Business Destroyed: Five Departments Battle Late Night Blaze
June 9, 2008 — Firefighters from five northeastern Minnesota fire departments (Pike-Sandy-Britt, Cook, Evergreen, Embarrass, Greenwood) were dispatched to the Britt Lounge on Highway 53, about 15 miles north of Virginia. The fire at the well-known tavern was reported just before 11:00 p.m. According to Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department spokesman Scott Christopherson, arriving firefighters found smoke coming from the ceiling area above the main floor of the bar, restaurant and post office. Fortunately, all of the patrons in the building at the time were safely evacuated. The fire spread to the rest of the structure. The building was considered a total loss. No injuries were reported. According to Christopherson, the cause of the fire was accidental.
Photos associated with this article:
