November 9 – A house fire in Aurora has taken the lives of one man and his three dogs. The blaze was reported around 6:30 P.M. at 17 West 6th Avenue North. The back end of the two story structure was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. A nearby neighbor attempted to enter the house several times, but was unsuccessful because of the intense smoke and flames. After the fire was knocked down, firefighters found the bodies of 70 year old Mark Weyandt and his dogs (George, Marsha, and Abigail). The East Range Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire. Departments on the scene included: Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and Palo. The Hoyt Lakes Ambulance Service provided medical standby and rehabilitation services.

November 5 – A 37 year old woman and her 12 year old son were severely burned in an explosion and fire at a cabin/hunting shack in Balkan Township, north of Chisholm. The fire was reported around 10:45 A.M. in the 11600 block of Countryside Lane Northeast. Although badly burned, the two victims were able to walk to a neighbor’s house. The Chisholm and Hibbing ambulance services transported both to the Hibbing hospital. The two were later taken by fixed wing medical aircraft to the Hennepin Burn Center in Minneapolis. The names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of family members. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, a 20 lb propane tank and heater were being used at the time to heat the cabin and caused the explosion and fire. The building was a complete loss. Departments responding to the incident included: Chisholm, French Township, Hibbing, and Buhl. The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

November 5 – Clinton Township EMS and fire department personnel responded this morning to a vehicle crash and fire. The incident was reported around 7:10 A.M. in the 9000 block of Highway 37. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver was treated on the scene by the Virginia Ambulance Service, but was not transported.

October 31 – Area tick or treaters made visits to a couple of Iron Range fire departments Halloween night. The youngsters picked up treats at the Biwabik and Eveleth fire stations. ”It was a delight to have them stop in,” said one Eveleth official. ”They were very polite and well mannered.”

November 1 – An afternoon fire destroyed a chicken coop/hog building in rural Hibbing. The fire was reported around 3:55 P.M. in the in the 3200 block of 23rd Avenue East (Tapala Road). The building was a total loss, but all of the pigs and chickens were able to escape. No human injuries were reported. The Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin fire departments were on the scene while the Virginia Fire Department provided standby at the Hibbing Fire Department headquarters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

October 30 – Work is continuing on the construction of Chisholm’s new public safety building. The $11 million dollar project is being funded by federal, state, and local resources. When completed next year, the building will house Chisholm’s police, ambulance, and fire departments.

October 28 – Several dozen residents from the Colvin Township area stopped in at this afternoon’s open house and chili feed hosted by the Colvin Fire Department. The event, held at the townhall, allowed firefighters to talk about the department and to provide tours of the firehall. At least five kinds of chili, ranging from mild to hot were offered. ”We had a wonderful time meeting our community member,” said Colvin firefighter Evan Sandstede. ”We are thankful for our community support!”

October 24 – Firefighters from the Clinton, Cherry, and Kinney-Great Scott fire departments participated in a joint training session this evening at the Clinton Fire Department. According to organizers, the classroom and hands-on training focused on lithium-ion battery fires and fuel fires. With more and more electric vehicles (EV’s) on the road, the training also included EV fires and the special hazards such vehicles present. All three fire departments (Clinton, Cherry, Kinney-Great Scott) respond as mutual aid to fires and other incidents in each other’s communities. Photos: Clinton Fire Department.

October 27 – Fire departments from Eveleth, Fayal, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, Virginia, Clinton, Biwabik, and Central Lakes battle two house fires in Eveleth this afternoon. The fire was reported around 3:00 P.M. in the 600 block of Douglas Avenue. When the first firefighters arrived, they found one house engulfed in smoke and flames with the fire spreading to an adjacent house. Crews worked to keep the blaze from spreading further. No injuries were reported, but a cat and rabbit perished while one cat was rescued by firefighters. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene while the Eveleth and Gilbert police departments assisted in traffic control. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

October 24 – The Gilbert, Eveleth, Fayal, and City of Biwabik fire departments were dispatched this afternoon to a report of a structure fire in Gilbert. The call came in around 3:20 at a residence in the 100 block of Louisiana Avenue West. Using fire extinguishers, Gilbert police officers were able to contain the fire to the stove. Gilbert firefighters checked the kitchen area for possible fire spread while the other departments were put on standby. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.