Structure fire

On Monday, February 16, at approximately 8:47 p.m., the Bemidji Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 12000 block of Peterson Lake Road NE in Port Hope Township, about 15 miles north of Bemidji. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large residential structure that had been completely consumed by fire and had collapsed into the basement. The Bemidji Fire Department initiated a defensive attack and deployed a 1 3/4” attack line to begin extinguishing the fire. As additional crews arrived, further 1 ¾” attack lines were deployed. The fire was eventually extinguished. A total of 28 firefighters and 11 pieces of equipment were on scene for approximately six hours. The building and its contents were a total loss. No firefighter injuries were reported. However, after the fire was extinguished, firefighters located one deceased individual inside the home. The incident remains under investigation. The Bemidji Ambulance Service, Inc., North Country First Responders, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Beltrami Electric Cooperative, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene.