The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for community minded individuals who want to serve their neighbors in the region. In particular, with the recent rash of house fires, disaster volunteers are needed. “The Red Cross’s important assistance to offer immediate housing and other assistance to families who are impacted by a fire cannot be overstated,” said Virginia Fire Chief Allen Lewis. “The dedicated volunteers of the Red Cross are there to offer compassionate care and support to people whose lives have just been turned upside down. After the fire has been put out and the firefighters have returned to the fire station, the Red Cross remains with the affected individuals in helping them piece their lives back together.” Those interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer should call the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross at 218-722-0071.

During the early morning hours of March 25, a fire occurred in a semi truck parked in the shop area of the Diesel Mechanic’s Program at Hibbing Community College. The shop’s sprinkler system kept the fire contained and prevented major damage to the college. “As we saw at Hibbing Community College, sprinklers can be very effective at limiting fire damage,” said Minnesota State Fire Marshal Bruce West and Minnesota Fire Marshal Supervisor Jon Nisja. “Rather than experiencing a significant loss to its building and a major disruption in its ability to teach students, the college is operational after some relatively minor cleanup. Without sprinklers, Hibbing would be experiencing a substantial loss to one of the community’s assets.” According to West and Nisja, Minnesota experiences about 70 sprinkler saves each year, that equals about one every five days. Within the last week or so, there have been three sprinkler saves in the area, including apartment sprinkler saves in Hibbing and Grand Rapids. From 2004-2016, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office reports 920 fire sprinkler saves in the state. “Each of these sprinkler saves represents someone’s building being saved, someone’s business being protected and more importantly, someone’s life being spared,” added West and Nisja. The graphic below illustrates where sprinkler saves have occurred.

The Virginia Fire Department has announced a determination into the cause of a duplex fire in the city’s Northside area. The blaze was reported around 8:10 a.m. in the 700 block of 11th Street North. Virginia Fire Marshal Chris Clark told The Northland Fire Wire that the cause was the improper disposal of smoking materials. The fire was fought by crews from Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth and Gilbert. One person suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at a local hospital.

March 25- The sprinkler system in the shop area of the Diesel Mechanics Program at Hibbing Community College is being credited with containing an early morning semi truck fire. The alarm was reported around 4:35 a.m. Arriving Hibbing firefighters saw smoke coming from the shop area and discovered that a semi truck had been burning in the building. Crews from Chisholm and Keewatin were also on the scene. The truck was extensively damaged with damages estimated at $48,000 for the truck and $5,000 to clean up the building. Fire officials say damages would have been significant to the college had it not been for the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

March 22 -The Virginia Fire Marshal continues to investigate the March 14th fire which caused extensive damage to a home in the 700 block of 12th Street North in Virginia. The fire was reported around 3:30 a.m. and was fought by crews from Virginia, Mountain Iron, and Eveleth. No injuries were reported and the occupant of the house was able to escape without injury.

March 21-Firefighters from six fire departments battled a fire at a wood workshop in Breitung Township. The fire was reported shortly after 8:00 a.m. in the 5400 block of Highway 169. The workshop had extensive damage. Departments responding included: Breitung, Tower, Greenwood, Eagles Nest, Vermilion Lake, and Embarrass. The suspected cause is a wood stove.

Sunday morning (2:00 a.m.) marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, which means you move your clock ahead one hour. The Northland Fire Wire reminds everyone that this is the prefect time to change the batteries in your smoke detector. Unfortunately, in many fatal fires, the batteries in smoke detectors have been removed or are dead. In addition, the absence of smoke detectors has led to needless fire deaths and injuries. Smoke detectors save lives. It’s really as simple as that.

February 26- Firefighters from nearly half a dozen Iron Range departments were dispatched to a report of a fire at the Range Funeral Home on 9th Avenue and 16th Street North in Virginia. The fire was reported around 8:40 a.m. Heavy smoke was reported to be coming from the northwest corner of the building. Firefighters were able to locate a fire in the basement and contained it to the room of origin. The building had minor smoke and water damage. Virginia Fire Marshal Chris Clark told The Northland Fire Wire that the cause is under investigation and no damage estimate is available. No injuries were reported. Fire departments at the scene included: Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, Gilbert, and Fayal.

February 16 – The Eveleth, Fayal, Gilbert, and Virginia fire departments were dispatched to a report of a stove/grease fire in the 200 block of Fayal Road in Eveleth. Eveleth Fire Chief Scott Haas told The Northland Fire Wire that the house had minor smoke damage. No injuries were reported.

February 11- Virginia Paramedic/Firefighter Bob Olivanti was named Firefighter of the Year while Hibbing Battalion Chief Chris Petrack was named Fire Officer of the Year at the Second Annual Firefighters’ Ball held in Virginia. The event was hosted by the Northern Lights F.O.O.L.S organization. The Virginia Fire Department was selected as Fire Department of the Year.
Photo: Hibbing Battalion Chief Chris Petrack and Virginia Paramedic Bob Olivanti. Photo courtesy of Betsy Olivanti.