Virginia apartment fire displaces 70 residents

by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio

Duluth, Minn. — More than 70 people were displaced by an apartment fire in the Iron Range town of Virginia Wednesday night.

The fire was reported shortly after 10 p.m. in a basement apartment of the Rotary Apartment complex. Virginia Fire Marshall Roger Scott said the fire was put out in less than a half hour, but the entire 32 unit complex was affected by smoke.

"Everybody had to be evacuated," he said. "We'll be working on it today, doing the investigation on the building and also trying to clear the smoke."

He said some, especially those with respiratory problems, may not be able to return today. But he said his department is working to get the majority of the residents back home.

"The owner is right here now, and we're working with the Police Department and the Red Cross to take care of the people," he said.

Firefighters rescued several people from the building including a resident with quadriplegia who was admitted to the Virginia hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause remains under investigation.