The Northland FireWire

December 13 – A home in Great Scott Township, east of Buhl, is a total loss after an afternoon fire. The fire was reported around 2:00 P.M. in the 5100 block of Country Road. Arriving firefighters found smoke coming from the roof of the house. According to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, it is believed that a cat and rabbit died in the fire while all occupants were accounted for. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental. The Kinney-Great Scott, Cherry, Mountain Iron, and Chisholm fire Departments responded. The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.

December 11 – A home in Grand Lake Township, north of Duluth, is considered a total loss after a fire this evening. The fire was reported around 8:00 P.M. in the 5900 block of Sunny Lane. One dog perished in the fire. Departments on the scene included: Grand Lake, Canosia, Hermantown, Solway, and the Minnesota Air National Guard. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, a space heater in a bathroom was the cause of the fire.

December 9- Cook firefighters were dispatched this afternoon to a camper trailer fire in Beatty Township near Cook. The fire was reported around 2:00 P.M. in the 9400 block of the East Olson Road. When firefighters arrived, the 40 foot-5th wheeler was engulfed in flames. The camper was considered a total loss. No injuries were reported. The Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department was also dispatched, but cancelled while enroute.

Ice has formed on many of the area lakes and rivers. Here’s a good reminder from the Minnesota DNR about ice thickness.

December 2 – Three Floodwood area fire departments (Floodwood, Cromwell, Arrowhead) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources responded tonight to a barn fire in Floodwood Township. The balze was reported around 6:10 in the 4800 block of State Highway 73. The barn was a total loss and a number of chickens perished. No human injuries were reported. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the cause of the fire is unknown, but foul play is not suspected.

December 5 – Five fire departments (Orr, Buyck, Crane Lake, Cook, Bois Forte) battled a pole barn fire this morning in Willow Valley Township. The fire was called in around 8:00 A.M. in the 10700 block of the Willow River Road. Firefighters contained the blaze to the interior of the building. No injuries were reported. The Cook Ambulance Service provided medical standby and the cause is under investigation. Submitted photos.

November 27 – Chisholm firefighters were dispatched late last night to a house fire in Chisholm. The fire was reported around 11:45 P.M. in the 200 block of Central Avenue South. Chisholm crews quickly contained the fire to the attic area of the two story house. No injuries were reported. The Hibbing, Keewatin, and French Township fire departments were also dispatched, but they were cancelled while enroute to the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation

November 25 – An early morning fire destroyed an apartment building in the Britt area north of Virginia. The blaze was reported around 12:00 A.M. in the 8400 block of the Nelson Road. The building, which had four apartments, was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived. One occupant was treated on the scene by the Virginia Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported. Fire departments on the scene included: Pike-Sandy-Britt, Mountain Iron, Virginia, Cook, Embarrass, Vermilion Lake, and Kinney-Great Scott. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the fire was caused by a candle in a bedroom, although the fire remains under investigation by the sheriff’s department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting at least one occupant who was displaced by the fire.

November 25 – A late morning fire in Eveleth caused extensive damage to a garage in the 800 block of Summit Street. The fire was reported around 11:00 A.M. Firefighters contained most of the blaze to the interior of the structure. No injuries were reported. The Eveleth, Fayal, Mountain Iron, Gilbert, and Virginia fire departments responded while the Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The Eveleth and Gilbert police departments assisted in traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.