According to numbers released to the Associated press, the number of fire deaths dropped to the lowest numbers since the statistic started being recorded.

In 2009 there were 32 deaths attributed to fires, which is 20 fewer than what was reported in 2008.

For the first time in several decades, there were no fire fatalities attributed in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The decline in deaths has been attributed to many department’s rapid response time and aggressive firefighting tactics. The drop is also credited to a decline in smoking, an increase in inspections and increases in public safety education.

The Associated Press is reporting today that seven fire departments were called to fight a fire at a bus garage in Barrett, MN.

Officials in the western Minnesota community reported that the bus garage that was operated by Palmer Bus Service was a total loss.

The bus service owner Floyd Palmer says he lost several buses that were used to transport students and senior citizens Grant County. The quantity of buses lost was unknown at the time.

The fire was reported about 9 p.m. Tuesday and firefighters from seven departments worked through the night.

A retired St. Paul, Minnesota firefighter has died in the line of duty. Ramon (Ray) Hain, 50, of Roseville, died November 14, 2009 the St. Paul department announced today.

The death is the the first line of duty death in over 20 years. Gary Skoglund was the last firefighter to die in the line of duty after investigating a fire September 16, 1989.

Hain came in contact with a patient’s body fluids in 1997. Doctors think he contracted a rare disease that weakened his heart.

Hain received a heart transplant in 1998 and retired from firefighting in 2000.

Hain will have his name inscribed at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md.

St. Paul firefighter’s death is declared in line of duty (Pioneer Press)

Retired St. Paul firefighter dies in line of duty — 13 years later (Star Tribune)

The Dilworth Fire Department held a gun raffle to raise funds for a new vehicle to help fight grass fires.

The following people were winners of the following prizes: Continue reading →

Dilworth Fire Gun Raffle

The Dilworth Fire Department Gun Raffle will be wrapping up in just about a month and the fire department still has some tickets left.

The raffle includes over 20 guns and four cash prizes of $250.00.

Tickets prices are one ticket for $10.00 or three tickets for $20.00. Tickets for the October 19, 2009 raffle can be purchased through any of the Dilworth Volunteer fire fighters.

If you would like tickets, please contact the Dilworth Fire Department using the following form at http://www.dilworthfire.com/contact/

A house fire near Long Prairie, MN has claimed the life of a three year old boy.

The fire was reported early Sunday east of Long Prairie according to Todd County sheriff authorities.

Officials announced that Lucas James Ewertsen was found dead inside the two story farmhouse. One adult family member was in the home and was treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters spent nine hours working to pub the blaze out according to Long Prairie Fire Chief Jim Kreemers.

The State Fire Marshall’s office and the Todd County Sheriff’s office are investigating.

Moorhead firefighters work at the scene after extinguishing a mobile home fire at 150 Lancaster Drive in north Moorhead early this morning.

Dilworth fire fighters were called out to assist Moorhead firefighters who braved the cold late Monday night to battle a fire to a Moorhead mobile home. All of the occupants escaped without injury.

The call was dispatched at 11:15 p.m. Monday and authorities responded to 150 Lancaster Drive in north Moorhead where a fire is suspected to have started under the mobile home in the rear section, said Moorhead Fire Chief Joel Hewitt. Continue reading →

The player will show in this paragraph

video from WDAY | Moorhead trailer fire

A fire destroyed a corn dryer at the Kragnes Farmers Elevator this morning.

The Dilworth Fire Department responded to the fire shortly before 10 a.m. and spent about an hour putting it out. Fire Chief Kurt Kennedy said the fire started near the burners and was likely caused by chaff that had built up.

The fire department crew cut away metal panels on the corn dryer to get to all the burned corn. Chief Kennedy said the dryer was totaled, but was unsure what the cost of the damage would be.