Power lines fall as DFD attacks garage fire

At around 11 p.m. Tuesday night, the Duluth Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a two-stall detached garage on fire on the 6300 block of Pizarro Street in Duluth. As the first fire crew on scene began to attack the fully involved garage fire, live power lines began to fall near the structure which forced the fire crew to take positions to fight the fire from a safe distance.

As more crews arrived, a hydrant was utilized to provide firefighting water to attack the fire and protect exposure buildings. Meanwhile, DPD officers had gathered information that there were propane and acetylene cylinders in the structure.

Minnesota Power responded quickly to the scene to shut down power and make it safe for firefighters to
advance into the structure. The fire was declared out within 20 minutes of the report. Firefighters remained on scene for about two hours.

The fire is being investigated by the Duluth Fire Marshal’s office. There were no injuries and no damage to exposures. Firefighters responded from the Spirit Valley, Gary, Lincoln Park and Headquarters stations. The DFD was assisted by the Duluth Police Department and Minnesota Power.

The structure is a total loss and damage to the structure and contents is estimated to be $50,000.