Firefighters Battle House Fires in Bemidji and Baxter Over the Weekend

Bemidji and Baxter firefighters battled house fires in the area over the weekend.

In Bemidji, firefighters were at the scene of two separate house fires on Sunday. The first was reported at 7193 Balsam Road NW around 10 in the morning. No injuries were reported, but two dogs died as a result of the fire.

The home and its contents sustained major damage estimated to be near $200,000. The fire is under investigation but is considered accidental in nature. Firefighters were at the scene for five hours with 19 firefighters and eight pieces of equipment.

Later in the day, just before 7:30 PM, firefighters were called to another fire at 452 Whisperwood Court SW and found a home fully engulfed in a fire. The occupants of the home were not injured, but four firefighters did suffer injuries. A pet also died in the fire. The home and its contents were a total loss.

Bemidji firefighters were at the scene for three hours with 18 firefighters and seven pieces of equipment. The fire is under investigation but is considered accidental in nature.

A gas grill is believed to have started a fire at a home in Baxter on Saturday. No on was injured in the fire on Memorywood Drive, but high winds and low humidity resulted in the fire quickly burning through the structure.

Fire officials believe leaves under the deck ignited from materials from the grill. The fire started around 4:45 PM and about 30 firefighters from Brainerd and Pillager were on the scene for about two hours.