The Northland FireWire

October 6 – Hibbing firefighters took a break from the department’s annual Fire Prevention Week Open House and honored a very special friend today.  And, what a surprise it was for Harold Koenig of Hibbing, who was officially named as an “Honorary Hibbing Firefighter”  and later presented with his very own helmet.  Harold, who is developmentally challenged and lives in a group home, has won over the hearts and souls of Hibbing’s firefighters. He spends a lot of time at Hibbing’s main fire station and according to Captain Chris Petrack, “Harold is one of our team.”  The idea of making Harold an Honorary Firefighter was a cooperative effort involving IAFF Local 173 and Fire Chief Scott Nehiba.  “We really wanted to do something special for him and today was his special day,” said Petrack.  “We all felt really great about doing this because Harold is indeed very special to us at Hibbing Fire.” 

Honorary Hibbing Firefighter Harold Koenig and HFD Captain Chris Petrack.

Photo: Hibbing Fire Department

October 6 – The Hibbing Fire Department put on quite a show today to stress the importance of Fire Prevention Month.  The department hosted a whole range of events from an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog to a vehicle extrication demonstration.  Activities were targeted to people of all ages.

Photo: Hibbing Fire Department

October 4- Four Iron Range fire departments (Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, and Fayal) were dispatched late this morning to a report of an apartment house fire in the southside area of Virginia.  The fire was reported in the 1200 block of Second Avenue South.  Six apartments were reported to be in the structure.  Firefighters were able to  contain the blaze to an interior wall.  At one time during the fire, one person was rescued from an upper floor apartment and guided down a ladder (see picture).  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Virginia Fire Department and Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Photo by Mike Zadra, Northland Fire Wire

October 1 – A stubborn roof fire kept firefighters from four Iron Range fire departments busy this afternoon.  The fire was reported at a home on Spruce Drive in the Ann’s Acres addition of Mountain Iron.  Firefighters from Mountain Iron, Virginia, Eveleth and Fayal Township were dispatched to the scene. The fire was contained to the roof area of the residence.  Firefighters spent a considerable amount of time removing insulation from the roof.  There were no reports of any injuries.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

September 30 – An estimated crowd of 4,000 showed up at the State Capitol in St. Paul for the dedication of the Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial.  Hundreds of firefighters from throughout the state attended the ceremony.  The memorial honors the more than 200 Minnesota firefighters who have died in the line of duty.  Those who attended the event called it “impressive.”

September 24- Over half a dozen Iron Range fire departments were dispatched to a house fire on the Oxbow Road in McDavitt Township.  The fire was reported around 12:15 p.m.  The home was a complete loss.  No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation by the McDavitt Fire Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.  Firefighters from McDavitt, Clinton Township, Cherry Township, Toivola, Virginia, Fayal Township, Eveleth, Chisholm and the Minnesota DNR were on the scene throughout the day. 

Firefighters assist in salvage and overhaul operations at the Oxbow Road fire.

Eveleth EMT/Firefighters Laura Korpi and Lisa Thomas captured the Taster’s Choice Award in the St. Michael’s Foundation Second Annual Chili Cook-Off.  The event was held Thursday, September 20, at the Mountain Iron Community Center.  Proceeds from the event went to the St. Michael’s Foundation, which will use the money to purchase electric beds for residents at its Virginia skilled nursing facility.

Eveleth EMT/Firefighters Laura Korpi and Lisa Thomas

September 19 – EMS and fire personnel from the Eveleth Ambulance Service, Eveleth Fire Department and Virginia Fire Department were dispatched to a two vehicle accident on Highway 53 and Hatrick Avenue in Eveleth.  The driver of one vehicle, 16 year old Hannah Wilson of Virginia, was airlifted from the scene to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, where she later died from her injuries.  The driver of the other vehicle, 38 year old Jeffrey Reed of Duluth, was transported with minor injuries to the Virginia Regional Medical Center.  The northbound lane of Highway 53 was closed down for several hours with traffic being diverted to a frontage road.  The accident, reported around 3:30 p.m., remains under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.

September 11 – The International Falls Fire Department remembered 9-11 in a special way.  An American flag was displayed from the department’s Squrt apparatus. 

Photo: Courtesy I-Falls Fire Department