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The Duluth Fire Department responded to a report of a house on fire at 4:18 PM on Friday afternoon, March 11, 2011.  Upon arrival they found heavy black smoke coming from the doors and eaves of a single story house at 2006 Hutchinson Road.  The owner was outside and confirmed that there was no people or animals in the home.

Firefighters attacked the fire inside the home and got it under control about 10 minutes after arrival but the fire had already extended to the attic of the house.  The attic fire was much more difficult to extinguish as the area was broken into many sections and the fire was already starting to burn through the roof.  Ventilation holes were cut in the roof and firefighters cut through the ceilings inside to gain access to the fire area.  The fire was finally brought under control after about 30 minutes on the scene. 

The fire burned the home heavily and cause approximately $40,000 damage to the structure, with contents damage of about $20,000.  The homeowner did not have any insurance for the building or the contents.  No one was injured by the fire.  The homeowner will not be able to live in the home due to the extensive damage.  The Red Cross provided housing for the single occupant and his dog.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a cardboard box of ashes placed on a wooden deck at the rear of the house.  It was placed next to the vinyl siding and ignited the home while the homeowner was not present. 

All citizens are warned to use a metal container for ashes that may still be hot and to place the container away from any combustibles.