Large Warehouse Burns in Minn., Spreads to Homes

Jan. 24, 2012
A massive fire destroyed a large warehouse in Virginia and destroyed or damaged several other buildings, including an apartment building and homes.

Jan. 23--A large fire destroyed a large warehouse in Virginia this morning.

Several other structures -- including a storage building, an apartment building and houses -- were damaged or destroyed.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire near First Street South and Railroad Avenue at 5:05 a.m.

"It was big," Virginia Fire Department Capt. Kevin Poffs said of the fire. "The building of origin was a large warehouse, and it was fully involved."

Firefighters from nine other departments responded to the blaze, as did personnel with four agencies, including the Virginia Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. Police evacuated the area near the blaze. Virginia Police Department Investigator Dennis Benz didn't know how many people were displaced.

No one was reported injured in the blaze which was contained about 7:30 a.m. Firefighters remained on the scene this afternoon.

"We are still working at extinguishing it all," Poffs said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. There is no estimate of monetary damages yet.

Copyright 2012 - Duluth News Tribune, Minn.

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