At approximately 10:32 am on December 20, 2023, the Grand Forks Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on 1118 1st Avenue North.
When fire crews arrived, they found heavy smoke from the front of the two-story duplex. All residents exited the building before fire personnel arrived on the scene.
Firefighters pulled an attack line to the first floor, where they found and extinguished the fire. The central floor apartment suffered significant smoke and fire damage, while the upstairs apartment had minor smoke damage. Fire department personnel performed CPR on one dog and one cat. Unfortunately, they did not survive. In total, two dogs and two cats passed away. A fire investigation is still being conducted.
The Grand Forks Fire Department responded with five engines, one truck, and one command vehicle with twenty personnel. Two residents were transported to Altru with unknown injuries. There were no injuries to fire service personnel. All residents were displaced; the American Red Cross is helping with their needs.
The fire department was assisted by the American Red Cross, Altru Ambulance, and the Grand Forks Police Department.
