Minnesota Department of Revenue reminder

Here’s a reminder from the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association. The website for the Minnesota Department of Revenue is: www.revenue.state.mn.us.

Pump training available in the region

Check out this training opportunity offered by Minnesota North-Customized Training. For more information, contact Minnesota North College Customized Training at: 218-293-6926.

Sympathy to Burnsville Police and Fire Department

The Northland Fire Wire extends its sympathy to the City of Burnsville on Sunday’s loss of two police officers and a fire department paramedic during a domestic assault call in Burnsville.


Hibbing business owners beware!

SUV fire on U.S. Highway 53

February 16 – A vehicle fire this evening on U.S. Highway 53 in Virginia closed down the northbound lanes for a short time. The Virginia Fire Department was dispatched to the call around 7:00 P.M. near 2nd Avenue South. No injuries were reported. The SUV was extensively damaged.

Air handler malfunction at Cherry School

February 16 – Four fire departments (Cherry, Clinton, Toivola, Kelsey) were dispatched to the Cherry School near State Highway 37 this afternoon when an air handling unit malfunctioned and filled two classrooms with smoke. The incident was reported around 2:20 P.M. According to fire department officials, the malfunction may have been caused by a power surge from a downed power line located about two miles from the school on County Road 452. The school was safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.

Gilbert apartment building heavily damaged

February 11 – A fire this evening in downtown Gilbert caused extensive damage to an apartment house. The Gilbert, Eveleth, Fayal, and City of Biwabik fire departments were dispatched around 9:30 P.M. to the 100 block of Broadway Street South. Heavy smoke and flames were observed coming from back of the building. A second alarm was requested, resulting in a response from the Biwabik Township, Lakeland, Mountain Iron, and Virginia fire departments. One of the occupants was treated on the scene for minor burns. No other injuries were reported. A house next to the building did receive smoke damage. The Gilbert and Eveleth police departments provided traffic control, along with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed to be accidental in nature.

Eight fire departments from the Iron Range worked together to fight the fire.
The Gilbert and Virginia fire departments set up aerial ladders in the front of the building.
Firefighters use the deck of a house as a platform to conduct exterior firefighting operations.
Firefighters working to contain the fire at the alley side of the building.

Lakeland Fire Chief Mike Plesha helps to direct firefighting operations on the south side of the building.

Second house fire in Hibbing, home destroyed

February 10 – A fire Saturday afternoon resulted in the loss of a home in the Brooklyn area of Hibbing. The blaze was reported around 4:00 P.M. in the 1500 block of 14th Avenue East. The house was a total loss. No injuries were reported, but Hibbing firefighters, who were initially inside the house fighting the blaze, had to quickly evacuate the structure when the fire became very intense. Seven departments (Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, Virginia, Cherry, Mountain Iron, Fayal) were on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Marshal.

Chisholm firefighters direct water into the front of the burning house.
Hibbing and Keewatin firefighters work to control the fire from the alley side of the house.

Firefighters from several department in the staging area. A total of seven fire departments battled the blaze.

Hibbing home extensively damaged

January 10 -Firefighters from Hibbing, Keewatin, Chisholm, Virginia, and Cherry were on the scene of a house fire in Hibbing this morning. The fire was reported just after 8:30 A.M. in the 2100 block of 41st Street East. The house, which was vacant at the time and undergoing renovation, was extensively damaged. No injuries were reported. The Clinton and Fayal fire departments were also dispatched, but cancelled while enroute. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Marshal’s Office.

Firefighter I & II course on the Iron Range