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.
