Fire Destroys Downtown Virginia Business: Public Library Extensively Damaged
April 14, 2005 — Firefighters from six Iron Range fire departments were called in to fight a huge fire which destroyed Virginia Boat 5th Avenue, located at 1st Street South and 5th Avenue in downtown Virginia. The fire was reported around 11:00 a.m. when the owner of the business heard a smoke detector going off and discovered part of the building was on fire. Arriving Virginia firefighters saw heavy smoke coming from the building and immediately called for mutual aid from Mountain Iron and a Rapid Intervention Team from Eveleth.
An interior attack was launched but crews were driven back by heavy smoke and fire. As conditions inside the building deteriorated, an exterior attack got underway, with the ultimate goal of protecting nearby buildings, including the Virginia Public Library, which was only a matter of feet from the burning building. Additional crews and equipment were provided by the Gilbert, Fayal and Biwabik fire departments. A vacant house across the alley from the building was damaged as well as the roof of the nearby Greiner Troy Building on 1st Street South.
The library had extensive smoke and heat damage and it is estimated that 40% of the books could be lost. Damages to the library alone could exceed $1,000,000. The library could remain closed for up to six months.
Because of the danger of collapse, heavy equipment was later brought in dismantle the fire building, with all of the debris taken to the St. Louis County landfill in Virginia. The cause of the fire is under investigation although a fan inside the store may have triggered the blaze. Photos by Mike Zadra, Fire Wire photojournalist.
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