District Firefighters Respond to Fires 8 Minutes Apart

CAFD firefighters were kept busy late Saturday afternoon with reports of structure fires 8 minutes apart.  The first alarm was recieved from Carlton County Dispatch at 1616 hrs reporting a structure fire on the Blacketter Road in Perch Lake Township,  Battalion 2 , Engine Co. 2 , Engine Co. 22 and Safety responded and found a fire inside a residential structure that originated in the kitchen area and spread into the ceiling/attic.  Crews quickly knocked down the fire and overhauled the entire area.  The kitchen area sustained considerable fire damage while  the rest of the structure heavy smoke damage.  Crews were on scene for 1 1/2 hrs and there were no injuries.

The second alarm was received from Carlton County Dispatch at 1624 hrs reporting another structure fire on Jarvi Road in Cloquet.  Battalion 3, Engine Co. 1, Engine Co. 31 and Tanker 22 responded to find a 14x16 shed with piles of construction material fully engulfed on the edge of a open field next to a residence.  Flames upon arrival were 50-60 ft. high in the air with a strong smell of gasoline emitting from the area. Engine Co. 1 extinguished the fire, with assistance from Tanker 22's crew and Engine Co. 31 was re-directed prior to their arrival to fill-in at Station 1.  Crews were on-scene for about 1 1/2 hrs and information on the incident has been turned over to FDL PD as a possible illegal burn.