March 18 - Virginia and Mountain Iron firefighters were kept busy battling a fire at Rainbow Aquatic Pets and Supplies in downtown Virginia. The fire at 226 Chestnut Street was reported around 7:40 p.m. Fire officials told The Northland Fire Wire that the blaze broke out in the basement of the building and the building had extensive smoke and water damage. Two adjacent buildings had some smoke damage. Six dogs and six birds were killed, however, firefighters managed to rescue guinea pigs, rats, and two iguanas. Around 2,000 tropical fish also survived the fire.. Damages could run as high as $300,000. About 30 firefighters were on the scene. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, although foul play has been ruled out. The Virginia Fire Department, Virginia Police Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office are involved in the investigation.

Picture: Mountain Iron firefighter Rory King removes a five foot iguana from the Rainbow Aquatic Pets and Supplies store.