Dryer fire in Hibbing

October 25 – The Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin fire departments were dispatched this afternoon to a possible structure in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 4:40 at a garage apartment located in the 2100 block of 2nd Avenue West. Arriving firefighters discovered a dryer fire on the ground floor of the building. The fire was contained to the dryer, which was a complete loss. No injuries were reported and crews were on the scene for less than an hour.

Hibbing Engines 1 and 2 on the scene on 2nd Avenue West.
The end result of the dryer fire in Hibbing.

Colvin FD sets open house

The Colvin Fire Department, located on St. Louis County Highway 4, has scheduled an open house for this upcoming weekend. Please see the poster shown below.

New apparatus at Pike-Sandy-Britt

October 18 – The Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department has a new piece of equipment in service. It’s a 2023 GMC 2500 that is being used for EMS, rescue, and command operations. The cost of “Truck 5” was put around $55,000. It’s first call was today when it responded to a semi tractor-trailer crash on U.S. Highway 53, just north of Virginia. At this incident, Truck 5 was used to assist in traffic control. The apparatus replaces an older pick-up truck.

Semi Tractor-Trailer crash closes down Highway 53

October 18 – Firefighters from Virginia and Pike-Sandy-Britt were paged out this morning to a crash involving two semi tractor-trailer vehicles. The crash was reported around 10:00 A.M. in the northbound lane of Highway 53, just north of Virginia. Both drivers appeared to be uninjured, according to fire officials on the scene. The northbound lane was closed for just over an hour, resulting in a huge traffic backup. The crash is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.

Fire Safety at the Marquette School in Virginia

October 18 – Virginia Fire Marshal Jake Keehl (standing) and Virginia Paramedic/Firefighter Mario DelGreco address students at the Marquette School in Virginia about fire safety. The importance of smoke alarms and having a fire escape plan were emphasized to the children.

Fire drill at Laurentian Elementary School

October 17 – Students from the Laurentian Elementary School in Eveleth took part in a fire drill this morning. The Eveleth, Fayal, Mountain Iron, and Gilbert fire departments were at the school to help coordinate the exercise.

Laurentian Elementary School students return to the classroom following this morning’s fire drill.

Hibbing apartment building fire

October 16 – The Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia fire departments were dispatched late Monday evening to an apartment house fire in Hibbing. The blaze was reported around 10:55 P.M. in the 2300 block of 7th Avenue East, often referred to as Bob Dylan Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters saw flames and smoke coming from the two story structure. A second alarm was requested, bringing the Cherry and Nashwauk departments to the scene. The majority of the fire was contained to the basement area, although the entire structure had heat and smoke damage. All of occupants were able to safely evacuate the building and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Marshal’s Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to those displaced by the fire.

Two garages destroyed in Eveleth

October 13 – A late night fire in Eveleth resulted in the destruction of two garages. The fire was reported around 9:30 P.M. in the 700 block of Harrison Street. Arriving fire crews found one garage totally engulfed in flames with a nearby garage with two vehicles inside also on fire. The Eveleth, Fayal, Mountain Iron, Virginia and Gilbert fire departments responded on the first alarm while the Clinton and Central Lakes departments came in on the second alarm. The Eveleth Ambulance Service was on the scene to provide medical standby. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

An Eveleth firefighter works to keep the garage fire from spreading to nearby structures.
Firefighters work to hose down the remains of two destroyed garages.

Eveleth apartment house fire, 11 cats perish

October 15 – Firefighters from Eveleth, Fayal, Virginia, Mountain Iron, and Gilbert were dispatched this evening to an apartment house fire in Eveleth. The fire was reported around 8:50 P.M. in the 700 block of Garfield Street. Firefighters contained most of the fire to the basement area, although the rest of two story building had smoke damage. Eleven cats perished in the fire, and another one is missing. No human injuries were reported. Three people were displaced by the fire and th eNorthland Chapter of the American Red Cross was contacted. Departments on the scene included: Eveleth, Fayal, Mountain Iron, Gilbert, and Virginia. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene while the Eveleth Police Department was there for traffic control. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Firefighters work to knock down the basement fire in the two story apartment building.

Gilbert’s new aerial apparatus in operation at the Eveleth apartment house fire.

White Township trailer house fire

October 13 – The Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and Palo fire departments battled a trailer house fire in White Township this evening. The fire was reported around 7:50 p.m. in the 5400 block of Poplar Street, which is just outside of Aurora. Arriving firefighters found the unoccupied trailer house engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Hoyt Lakes Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene.