HIBBING — A passerby reported flames in a window of a building that’s home to Yoder Building Supplies Inc., 1831 Third Ave. E., at 9:03 p.m. Friday. And when firefighters responded, the fire had already begun to spread to the structure’s roof.
The Hibbing Fire Department mounted a massive attack with mutual assistance from numerous Iron Range partners, including firefighters from Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia. Later, still more support came from fire departments in Fayal Township, Eveleth, Nashwauk, Grand Rapids and Mountain Iron.
The large building, containing plenty of combustibles, presented a challenge. Excavation equipment and three aerial units were deployed, as firefighters worked to suppress the fire. They remained on the scene until about 6 a.m. Sunday. After nine hours of effort, the fire was extinguished, but the building is considered a total loss.
The building is believed to have been unoccupied at the…
