City Subscriptions

View Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Fire Department
602 West Second Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4400 •www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 4/8/2020
SUBJECT: Three possible arson fires
BY: Assistant Chief D. Edwards

NATURE OF INCIDENT: Structure fires
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 4/8/2020
INCIDENT TIME: 12:10 AM
INCIDENT LOCATION: Multiple

There were three possible arson fires in Duluth last night. At 12:10 AM, the Duluth Fire Department was called for a structure fire at 213 Mesaba Ave. A vacant two story house had active fire that was seen at the rear of the structure on two levels.

Headquarters fire crews knocked down fire on the first and second stories and in the attic from the exterior and then continued to overhaul the interior of the building. There was no one inside the structure and there were no firefighter injuries. This fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal's office and is suspicious in origin. The damage is estimated at $25,000 .Firefighters from Headquarters, Lincoln Park and Spirit Valley battled the fire and were assisted by the Duluth Police Department.

While firefighters were working to contain the Mesaba Ave fire, a fire was reported on the roof of Memorial Park Apartments at 605 North Central Ave at 1238. This fire had been set on a lower level roof and had burned into the roof structure. Quick acting Duluth Police officers attacked the roof fire with dry chemical extinguishers and firefighters continued the extinguishment with water. Firefighters had to overhaul a part of the roof by cutting away roofing material and insulation. Damage is estimated at $2,500. There were no firefighter injuries and the DFD would like to recognize the excellent work done by the Duluth Police officers at this fire. Firefighters responded from the first fire scene, Gary, Duluth Heights and the UMD stations.

Then, at 01:30 AM a fire was reported at 11 South 16th Ave East. Upon arrival there was fire showing on the front of the two story duplex and on the porch roof. The 4 Quint crew, who had been filling in at Headquarters, was first on scene and rapidly attacked the fire, knocking it down. As other firefighters arrived they worked to keep the fire from entering the interior of the structure by overhauling siding and the porch roof. This fire was intentionally set and damage is estimated at $10,000. There were no firefighter injuries and no one was inside the structure at the time of the fire. The Duluth Police once again assisted the Duluth Fire Department. Firefighters from Headquarters, UMD, Lincoln Park, Woodland and Lakeside stations responded.

All three fires are being investigated by the Duluth Fire Marshal's office and any information or questions can be directed to the Fire Marshal at 218-730-4398 or 218-730-4399.