August 13 – Three dogs perished in a late night house fire in Eveleth. The fire was reported around 10:10 p.m. in the 600 block of Harrison Street. Flames and smoke were seen coming from the large two story house when the first firefighters arrived. The extent of damages is yet to be determined. No one was home at the time. Departments responding to the fire included: Eveleth, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Virginia, Mountain Iron, Clinton, and Biwabik. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby and firefighter rehabilitation at the scene. The Eveleth and Gilbert police departments assisted in traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

August 12 – An early afternoon fire destroyed a home and camper in Solway Township. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the fire was reported around 1:00 p.m. in the 3900 block of the Crosby Road. The home and a camper trailer were engulfed in flames when crews arrived. A nearby garage was damaged. Two dogs perished in the blaze. No other injuries were reported. Departments responding to the fire included: Solway, Cloquet, Grand Lake, Hermantown, Esko, and Industrial. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Palo Fire Department doesn’t have a home. The department’s firehall was recently torn down due to what was described as major structural issues that could not be repaired. For the time being, the department’s apparatus is being housed in the Town of White garage, which fire officials say is a “very tight fit.” On its Facebook page, the department has made it clear that it will continue to serve the community, which includes the Town of White. So far, there is no word regarding the construction of a new firehall.

August 8 – Virginia authorities continue to investigate two fires which were reported this morning in the southside area of the city. The fires occurred in the 100 block of 7th Street South and the `1200 block of 2nd Avenue South. Both small fires were quickly put out by police officers and firefighters. A person was taken into custody in connection with the fires. The investigation involved the Virginia Police Department, Virginia Fire Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

August 7 – Students from 12 different agencies in Minnesota and North Dakota took part in the second part of the Fire Investigation Technician class at the Emergency Response Training Center in Duluth. The course was presented by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office in cooperation with the Duluth Fire Department and Lake Superior College. According to class organizers, the course involved hands-on training ranging from photography skills, vehicle fire investigation, and structure fire investigation. Back on July 31, Conex box configurations were set up to simulate six room and contents fires. As part of the exercise, the rooms were set on fire under the supervision of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and instructors from the Emergency Response Training Center. Today, students conducted scene examinations, interviewed possible suspects, and worked in teams to determine the causes of the fires. The first part of the course was conducted earlier this year and consisted of classroom presentations involving investigative techniques as well as rules and regulations.

August 30 – Members of the Eveleth, Fayal Township, and Gilbert fire departments participated in a Low Angle Rope Rescue class at the Leonadis Lookout in West Eveleth. The training involved several evolutions involving ropes and pulleys. The course was conducted by the Minnesota Public Safety Group.

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July 22 – Kinney-Great Scott, Mountain Iron, Buhl, and Cherry firefighters were paged this morning to a trailer house fire in Kinney. The fire was reported around 5:40 a.m. near the intersection of Blackwood Avenue and St. Louis County Highway 25. The vacant trailer was a complete loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department. No injuries were reported.

July 19 – An early evening fire destroyed a garage in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 6:00 p.m. in the 3800 block of 19th Avenue East. Hibbing firefighters were able to quickly bring the blaze under control, although the garage was a total loss. The siding on a nearby house was damaged. The Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia fire departments were also dispatched as part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), but were cancelled while enroute. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.