November 15 – At least seven people were evacuated this evening from an apartment house in Virginia. Virginia and Eveleth fire and EMS personnel were dispatched around 8:40 p.m. to the 100 block of 2nd Street North after occupants noticed a gas smell outside of the building. High levels of Carbon Monoxide were initially detected inside the building by firefighters. All of the occupants, including a number of small children, were evaluated by EMS personnel at the scene. No one was transported to the hospital.

Virginia and Eveleth firefighters on the scene of a Carbon Monoxide call in Virginia.

November 12 – Over half a dozen fire departments battled a late night fire at Zup’s grocery store in Cook. The fire was reported around 8:45 p.m. Witnesses saw flames and smoke coming from the back of the building. Firefighters used a combination of hydrants and drop tanks to fight the large blaze. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the store is a total loss. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has been on the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. No damage estimate is available. Departments are on the scene included: Cook, Orr, Greenwood, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Evergreen, Embarrass, Bearville, and Virginia.

Heavy smoke erupts from the Zup’s grocery store.

November 1 – Eveleth and Fayal Township firefighters battled a semi tractor trailer fire this evening at Aqua Power on Hat Track Avenue in Eveleth. The fire was reported around 7:40 p.m. Arriving firefighters found the tractor trailer heavily involved in flames with a bus also nearby. The semi tractor was destroyed and the bus had exterior damage. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.

October 11 – Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin firefighters battled a house fire in Hibbing this afternoon. The fire was reported around 3:15 p.m. in the 2300 block of 4th Avenue West. Firefighters contained the fire to mostly the attic of the house. One family cat was rescued. No other injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.

September 29 – The Hibbing Fire Department held its annual open house today (Saturday). The event featured a firefighter obstacle course for children, along with a cooking fire demonstration. Several area public safety agencies Joined the event including the Hibbing Police Department and Minnesota DNR-Forestry. Even though the weather was cool, a large number of Hibbing area residents attended the event.

Hibbing area children had a chance to participate in a firefighter obstacle course.

Cooking fire demonstration

September 30 – The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting Hibbing authorities in the investigation of an early morning house fire in the Leetonia area of rural Hibbing. The fire was reported around 2:50 a.m. in the 4200 block of 2nd Street. The Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, and Nashwauk fire departments were dispatched to the blaze. The house is considered a total loss. No one was home when the fire broke out. No injuries were reported.

September 26 – The Ely Fire Department, in cooperation with a number of Ely area public agencies, conducted a Public Safety Open House, which attracted dozens of people. A highlight were several vehicle extrication demonstrations conducted by the Ely Fire Department. The emphasis was not only on the extrication equipment, but the need for drivers to be safe on the road with a strong message against texting while driving. Some of the agencies participating in the open house included: Morse-Fall Lake Fire Department, Ely Police Department, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, U.S. Forest Service, Ely Ambulance Service, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

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September 17 – Many have heard about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Every year, the federal agency provides tens of millions of dollars to fire departments for needed equipment ranging from fire engines to self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to rescue equipment and a lot more. Throughout Minnesota, departments have greatly benefitted from the grants and northeastern Minnesota is no exception. However, a good number of people may not be aware that the AFG Program has also funded training props, like the three used this evening in Biwabik Township. The props, fed by propane, included a BBQ fire, car fire, and propane tank fire. “We are pleased that the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office can provide these resources, particularly to the rural parts of the state,” said one fire department training officer. “The training props offer effective and safe training opportunities for our firefighters. We couldn’t ask for a better situation!” Under the guidance of skilled instructors, the training exercises, coupled with the props, lead to team building, effective fireground communications, and most of all, proven and safe firefighting tactics. Those departments participating in tonight’s training included: Biwabik Township, Biwabik, Lakeland, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Virginia, and Hibbing. Lakes Gas provided the propane for the training props.

Iron Range fire departments take part in “live fire training” in Biwabik Township.

September 9 – Chisholm and Hibbing firefighters were called early this morning to a garage fire in Chisholm. The blaze was reported just before 4:00 a.m. in the 1500 block of 2nd Avenue N.W. According to Chisholm Fire Chief Bob Brown, the garage was engulfed in flames when the first fire engine arrived. The garage was a total loss. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in determining the cause of the fire.