REGIONAL- Area fire departments were called out to battle structure fires in Morcom Township and Britt this past week, both with devastating outcomes.
On Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m., firefighters from Bearville, Evergreen, French, and Cook responded to the 9200 Block of Range Line Road in Morcom Township to find a trailer house fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. The home was a total loss, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office reported that three dogs died in the fire. One firefighter was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by Cook Ambulance personnel.
The owner of the residence, Richard Holm, was not home when the fire was discovered but was contacted and returned to the scene. The Red Cross was called to assist with finding a place for Holm to stay.
The sheriff’s office report indicated the fire did not appear to be a criminal act but the cause of the fire is still under investigation and the State Fire Marshal’s Office was also notified.
Just days later, at 12:02 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies along with several area fire departments and the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a fire at a quad-plex multi-family home located in the 8400 block of Nelson Road in Britt. The sheriff’s office report said that the fire was started by a candle that was in a bedroom.
Pike-Sandy-Britt, Virginia, Mt. Iron, Embarrass, Cook, and Vermilion Lake firefighters responded, but upon arrival the apartment was fully engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed. One person was evaluated at the scene for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.
County property tax records indicate the building was owned by Barbara Aysta, of Virginia, and was valued at $83,400.
The fire is being investigated by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.