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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Fire Department
602 West Second Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4400 •www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 8/16/2017
SUBJECT: Structure Fire
BY: Marnie Grondahl 730-4398

NATURE OF INCIDENT: Structure Fire
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 8/15/2017
INCIDENT TIME: 8:03 p.m.
INCIDENT LOCATION:

On August 15, 2017 at 8:03 PM, Duluth Fire was dispatched to a structure fire at 3223 Vernon St. The first arriving crew from the Lincoln Park station arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. A Deputy Fire Marshal responded to the scene and determined the cause of the fire to be arson. It was estimated that there was $5,000.00 in damage. This was the fourth suspicious fire at this residence in the past year. These fires are under investigation, anyone with information regarding any of these fires, please contact the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020. Rewards of up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the identification of persons responsible for these fires.           

 

Arson Prevention Tips:

• Clean up the neighborhood by removing all garbage, material, and excess vegetation that is capable of being ignited.

• Ensure properties are well lit and the use of motion lights is encouraged.

• Remove all possible sources of ignition such as flammable liquids and unused gas containers.

• Remove abandoned vehicles. According to the USFA’s NFIRS data and the NFPA, there is an annual estimated average of 25,328 intentional fires involving vehicles. Most car fires are started to cover up other criminal activity or simply as an act of vandalism. An abandoned car is a target for arson.

• Secure abandoned and vacant homes which are potential arson targets. This may be comprised of additional locks or the boarding up of broken windows or other openings with plywood.

• Encourage Neighborhood Watch members to patrol these areas and write down descriptions, license plates of suspicious vehicles, and potential suspect descriptions.