January 10 – Virginia, Eveleth, Hibbing, and Mountain Iron firefighters battled a house fire this evening in Virginia. The fire, called in around 7:50 a.m., in the 1200 block of 11th Street South, was originally reported as a grease fire. Arriving firefighters discovered that the blaze had spread into the kitchen cabinets and attic. While the fire was quickly knocked down, crews remained on the scene check for fire extension. All of the occupants were able to safely evacuate the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

January 7 – Four people were injured, the result of an early morning house fire in Biwabik Township. The fire was reported around 5:00 a.m. in the 4800 block of the Vermilion Trail. According to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the occupants were awakened when smoke alarms in the house started sounding. All of the residents were able to safely evacuate the house. Ambulances from Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes, and Virginia transported the occupants to medical facilities (two with serious injuries and two with minor injuries). The home and multiple buildings were destroyed. Fire departments responding to the fire included: Biwabik Township, Biwabik, Lakeland, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Palo, Colvin Township, Aurora, and Makinen. The Biwabik Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The cause of fire is being investigated by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Preliminary reports say the fire was not suspicious in nature.

February 6 – 57 year old Matthew Bisbee from the Orr area was killed this morning when fire swept through his home in Leiding Township. The fire was reported around 6:50 a.m. in the 3500 block of County Road 119. Bisbee”s wife was able to escape the blaze, but he could not be accounted for. A number of dogs also perished in the fire. Fire departments from Cook, Orr, Bois Forte, Crane Lake, French Township, Kabetogama, and Bearville responded while the Orr Ambulance provided medical standby at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department.

A memorial service to honor the life and community service of Embarrass Fire Chief Tom Martin will be held Saturday, February 1, 2:00 p.m. at the Timber Hall Event Center on County Highway 21 in Embarrass. Martin, who served on the Embarrass Region Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, died on December 28 following a courageous battle with cancer.

January 29 – Firefighters from Eveleth, Fayal Township, Virginia, Mountain Iron and Gilbert were paged late this morning to a report of a possible house fire in Eveleth. The incident was reported around 11:20 a.m. in the 300 block of Monroe Street. Eveleth police officers, who were the first to arrive, contained the fire to a reclining chair with fire extinguishers while the occupant of the house had already evacuated the home. No injuries were reported. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The fire apparently started from a cigarette that had fallen into the chair.

The Hibbing Fire Department responded to 3,727 total calls in 2024. According to Hibbing Fire officials, 3,263 of the calls involved EMS responses while the remaining 464 calls were fire related. In 2023, Hibbing EMS and fire personnel responded to 3,478 total calls (3,038-EMS/443-fire).

The Virginia Fire Department also had a busy 2024 with 4,774 total calls (4,187-EMS/587-fire). In 2023, Virginia crews went on 4,661 total calls.

January 25 – An early morning fire destroyed a garage and two vehicles in Tower. The blaze was reported around 12:30 a.m. in the 500 block of 2nd Street South. Fire departments responding to the call included: Tower, Breitung Township, Greenwood Township, Eagles Nest Township, Embarrass, Cook, and Vermilion Lake Township. The Tower Ambulance provided medical standby at the scene while the Breitung Police Department assisted in traffic control. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

January 24 – The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, along with the East Range Police Department and Aurora Fire Department, are investigating this afternoon’s fire at the Irongate Apartments and Townhomes in Aurora. The fire was called in around 3:45 p.m. with the Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and Palo fire departments responding. Firefighters contained the blaze to one of the single story townhouses located in the housing complex. A 35 year old woman was taken into custody and is facing arson charges. The Hoyt Lakes Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene while the East Range Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department also assisted.

January 19 – A garage in Babbitt is a total loss following a fire this evening. The blaze was reported around 8:50 on Fern Court. The Babbitt, Ely, and Embarrass fire departments were dispatched. The Babbitt Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. There were no reports of injuries and the cause is under investigation.