Fire Engulfs Maintenance Shed on Duluth Ore Dock, $60K Damage

UPDATE: A fire erupted on a maintenance shed at the Canadian National Railway ore dock in Duluth just before noon on July 16, 2023. The Duluth Fire Department responded urgently to the scene on the 200 block of 37th Avenue West, where flames were reported to be “fully involved” in the structure.

Fire crews from four stations raced to contain the blaze on Dock 6, an operational facility crucial for loading taconite pellets onto ships. Thanks to their swift action, firefighters successfully prevented the fire from spreading to the surrounding ore docks, averting a potentially larger disaster.

No injuries have been reported, but the estimated damage to the shed stands at approximately $60,000. The fire department confirmed that personnel from Canadian National assisted in securing a water source, while a fire truck utilized water from St. Louis Bay to help extinguish the flames.

The Duluth Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating the cause of the fire, though specific details have yet to emerge. Dock 6, originally constructed in 1918, extends into St. Louis Bay near the Lincoln Park neighborhood, while its adjacent facility, Dock 5, is now inactive.

This incident raises concerns about safety protocols and infrastructure integrity at the ore docks, which play a vital role in the local economy. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations unfold.

As developments progress, the community remains on high alert. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as officials work to determine the cause and assess further implications.