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[Duluth, MN]

At 1103 today the Duluth Fire Department was dispatched to a citizen report of a structure fire at 111 Park Ave. 2 Engine and 1 Engine arrived within three minutes and reported heavy smoke showing from a two story vacant and boarded building. The building is on a steep hillside with no street or driveway access. Large hose lines were positioned up the hill from Piedmont Ave and from above off of W 2nd St. Because of the condition of the building and heavy fire conditions the fire was fought from the exterior of the building. About twenty minutes later another building in the neighborhood was reported to be on fire. This fire at 116 Fir Ave was also in a two story vacant and boarded building and presented the same access and hazard conditions.

Fire crews were split into two divisions with a commander for each fire. The first fire was brought under control within an hour but fire crews remained on the scene fighting the Fir Ave fire for four hours. Both buildings are considered a total loss. The fires are being investigated by the Duluth Fire Marshal's Office. No firefighters were injured during the incidents.

Firefighters from Headquarters, Lincoln Park, Spirit Valley and UMD stations responded to the fire. During the fires, off-duty firefighters were called in to fortify the remaining staff and continued to respond to all emergency calls in Duluth.