Structure fire

On Saturday, July 19, at approximately 11:49 p.m., the Bemidji Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on the 19000 block of Gull Lake Loop Road NE in Port Hope Township, about 16 miles north of Bemidji. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large, pole-type building fully engulfed in flames. The Bemidji Fire Department initiated defensive operations and deployed a 2 ½” preconnected attack line and an elevated master stream for extinguishment. As additional crews arrived, they deployed additional 1 ¾” attack lines. Due to the size of the fire, mutual aid was requested from the Blackduck Fire Department for staffing. A total of 28 firefighters and 10 pieces of equipment were on scene for approximately four hours. The building and its contents are a total loss. No injuries were reported. The fire is

under investigation but appears to be accidental. The Bemidji Ambulance Service, Inc., Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Blackduck Fire Department, Beltrami Electric Cooperative, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene.