November 16 – Half a dozen Iron Range fire departments were dispatched this afternoon to a report of a fire in the lower level at the Virginia Public Utilities power plant. The fire was reported around 2:45 p.m. with initial reports that three to four employees were unaccounted for. Virginia firefighters quickly located the employees, who were safely. A small fire was discovered and quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported. Fire departments responding to the fire included: Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Hibbing, Gilbert, and Pike-Sandy-Britt. “This could have been a major incident,” said Virginia Fire Chief Allen Lewis. “Because this is a large building with a number of potential hazards, it was best that we initially called in more resources.” The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal.

November 1 – At least two Hibbing businesses were extensively damaged by fire this morning. The blaze was reported shortly after 9:30 a.m. in the 400 block of Howard Street East in downtown Hibbing. The fire reportedly broke out above Jacobson Family Dentistry. Hibbing firefighters began an interior attack, but were forced to go to a defensive attack. A man and woman received burns in the fire and were treated at the Hibbing hospital and then transported to the Twin Cities for further treatment. The fire also caused damage to Mike’s Pub, located next door to the dental building. The Hibbing, Virginia, and Grand Rapids fire departments responded with their aerial ladder apparatus. Other departments on the scene included: Keewatin, Chisholm, Nashwauk, Cherry, and Silica. The Fayal Fire Department provided rehabilitation services at the scene. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.

October 13 – A tree branch falling on a power line touched off a wildland fire in the Ellsburg Township area late this afternoon. The fire, along the Lee Road, consumed over 20 acres and threatened several homes. No injuries were reported. At least a dozen fire departments and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources battled the fire, which quickly grew in size because of high winds in the area.

September 15 – The Virginia Fire Department and Virginia Police Department have announced that a house fire on Sunday, September 13 was arson. The fire was reported around 8:50 a.m. in the 100 block of 6th Street South. Arriving Virginia firefighters found smoke coming from the main floor of the house. A small fire was discovered on the main floor and quickly extinguished. Eveleth and Mountain Iron firefighters also responded. No injuries were reported. Those with information about the fire should call the Arson Hotline at: 1-800-723-2020.

September 10 – A large home near Cook on the western side of Lake Vermilion was destroyed by fire last night. The Cook Fire Department got the dispatch around 9:55 p.m. The blaze was initially reported as a chimney fire, which had spread to the roof of the house. Fire department paged to the fire included: Cook, Greenwood, Orr, Tower, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Evergreen, and the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade. The Cook Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene.

August 25 – The Moose Event Center in downtown Hibbing was destroyed this morning by a fast moving fire. The blaze was reported around 10:30 a.m. when smoke was discovered on the second floor of the building. Hibbing firefighters tried an offensive interior attack, but conditions worsened and Hibbing Fire Chief Erik Jankila ordered a defensive attack. Multiple fire departments from Grand Rapids to Hibbing to Fayal Township were on the scene. Three aerial ladders from Hibbing, Virginia, and Grand Rapids were used in the attack. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in determining the cause of the blaze.

August 17 – The Vermilion Lake Township Fire Department got some very good news last week. The department was notified that it will be receiving an Assistance to Firefighters’ Grant (AFG). The grant, in the amount of $73,333.33, is for Operations and Safety. A fire department official told The Northland Fire Wire that the department is very pleased to be receiving the much needed funding, which will be used for the purchase of SCBA’s and turnout gear. The Vermilion Lake Township Fire Department serves part of the Lake Vermilion area near Tower. The AFG funding is provided by the US Department of Homeland Security.

August 13 – The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting the Hibbing Fire Department in investigating this morning’s building fire in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 11:15 a.m. at 24th Street and 4th Avenue East. Arriving Hibbing firefighters found light smoke coming from the three story building. A small fire was discovered in the basement and quickly extinguished. No one was in there he building at the time. No injuries were reported. Departments on the scene included: Hibbing, Keewatin, Chisholm, and Virginia.

August 13 – Six Iron Range fire departments battled a fire this morning at Quad Cities Recycling on County Road 921 in Virginia, near the St. Louis County Public Works Complex. The fire was reported around 7:00 a.m. and arriving Virginia firefighters found smoke coming from the building. Crews began with an exterior attack from two man doors at the front of the building and then transitioned to an interior attack. Damages were contained to the interior of the structure. No damage estimate is available. No injuries were reported. Departments on the scene included: Virginia, Eveleth, Moutain Iron, Fayal, Gilbert, and Hibbing. The cause is under investigation.

August 9 – Six Iron Range fire departments battled a basement fire early this morning in Virginia. The fire was reported around 5:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of 7th Avenue North. The residents safely evacuated the large house before firefighters arrived. The fire was contained to the basement with some extension to the first floor. The entire house had varying degrees of smoke damage. Fire departments on the scene included: Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Gilbert, Fayal Township, and Hibbing. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation. The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.