Virginia and Eveleth firefighters battle major house fire

During the afternoon of February 17, 2006, Virginia and Eveleth firefighters were put to the test when a house fire broke out in Virginia's northside area.  The blaze, which was reported around 3:30 p.m. in the 500 block of 13^th Street North, was originally called in as a possible chimney fire.  However,  Virginia firefighters soon discovered that the fire was already racing its way through the large two story house.  To make matters even worse, sub-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills added to the firefighters' woes.  The Eveleth Fire Department's Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) was dispatched for assistance.  The interior attack was abandoned and an exterior attack involving two master streams and several hoselines came into play.  As the huge fire was brought under control, firefighters were able to enter the house to perform salvage and overhaul operations.  In all, firefighters remained on the scene for around eight hours.  The home was extensively damaged with damages estimated around $100,000.  One firefighter received minor injuries.  While the cause remains under investigation, investigators determined that the fire started in the chimney area.