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218-730-4400 •www.duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
SUBJECT: House Fire at 19 S66 Ave W
BY: Assistant Chief Jim Ray
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Building Fire
CASE NO.: 10002640
INCIDENT DATE: 4/25/2010
INCIDENT TIME: 6:57 PM
INCIDENT LOCATION: 19 S 66 Ave W
At 6:57 last evening, the Duluth Fire Department responded to a neighbor's report of smoke coming from a house on the opposite side of his street. Upon arrival, fire companies found the entire two story home filled with dense smoke and with flames burning through an exterior wall by a fireplace. Intense heat and fire was encountered on all levels including the basement. At one point, firefighters needed to back out of the basement due to the heat and the exploding of several hundred rounds of ammunition.
A thorough search was immediately conducted for the two occupants and their pets. Firefighters discovered the owners were not home and a cat that was found inside appeared to be unharmed.
Damage to the home is extensive. Heavy charring of the wood framing for part of the first floor and the exterior wall alongside the fireplace and extending up to the attic occurred. The heat combined with the smoke damaged most of the contents. Initial loss estimates for the structure and contents exceed $100,000.
Fire crews remained on the scene for over 5 hours. The Fire Marshal's Office is investigating