An elderly grandmother was rescued from a burning trailer home in Gary-New Duluth early Friday, while a second trailer home on the same street in Vintage Acres burned Friday evening.
The woman rescued from the first fire was conscious when she was transported by Gold Cross Ambulance and admitted into Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, said Assistant Chief Chris Martinson of the Duluth Fire Department.
Two other people, the woman’s granddaughter and great-grandson, escaped the fire. Two dogs also survived, one of which needed to be rescued.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire was reported shortly after 5 a.m., at 40 Burger Drive in Gary-New Duluth.
Martinson described tense moments and the challenges met by firefighters, including tight quarters within the home.
ADVERTISEMENT
“By the time (the granddaughter) set her son outside and one of the dogs, she turned to go back in and the hallway was full of flames and smoke, so she smartly turned back out,” he said. “The firefighters immediately went into rescue mode.”
Firefighters found the woman conscious and returned to rescue the second dog.
Crews remained on the scene into the morning. Martinson estimated the damages at $40,000. Martinson said he was withholding identifications until further details from the Fire Marshal’s Office.
A second fire was reported nearby, at 58 Burger Drive, at 6:16 p.m. Friday. Heavy smoke and flames were visible from the trailer home when Duluth fire crews arrived.
The homeowner was able to escape with his dog; there were no injuries and damage is estimated at $35,000, the Duluth Fire Department reported. The cause had not yet been determined as of Friday night.
