July 9 – Multiple Iron Range fire departments were dispatched this morning to a report of building fire in downtown Virginia. The call came in around 10:55 p.m. in the 300 block of Chestnut Street. A building located between Rocks The Jewels and Pep’s Bake Shop had heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the two story building. Virginia firefighters arrived quickly on the scene and began an interior attack, but withdrew because of safety concerns. The fire quickly burned through the roof while crews engaged in an extensive defensive attack. Aerial apparatus from Virginia and Hibbing were positioned near the front of the building while another aerial rig from Gilbert was set up in the back. While firefighters prevented the fire from spreading into the adjacent buildings, the businesses in those buildings (Pep’s Bake Shop, Rocks The Jewelers, Virginia Floral Company, and Jue’s Chinese Restaurant and Lounge) had smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported, but a family cat perished in the blaze. Departments dispatched to the fire included: Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Hibbing, Biwabik, Biwabik Township, Pike-Sandy-Britt, McDavitt, Clinton, and Makinen. The Chisholm Fire Department was on standby at the Virginia firehall, while the Eveleth and Biwabik ambulance services handled emergency medical calls in the area. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad provided rehab services at the scene. Three people were displaced by the fire and were being assisted by the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.
