Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential Cloquet, MN – Fire at senior apartment building held in check by sprinkler system July 9, 2018 viking210 Emergency officials responded to a fire at a Cloquet senior living residence Friday evening which has forced some residents out of their apartments. The fire at Larson Commons was reported around 6 p.m. Friday. Area firefighters responded to the incident at the senior living residence and found smoke on the fifth floor. “When crews arrived, we had multiple people yelling out of the window that they couldn’t get out of their apartments,” Cloquet Area Fire District Chief Kevin Schroeder said. “Initial crews found smoke throughout the fifth floor.” Chief Schroeder adds crews found fire in the corner of the hallway. The fire had been confined to the area by the sprinkler system. “The sprinkler system kept [the fire] in check. The fire started in some furniture, went up the wall into the ceiling,” Chief Schroeder said. Fire officials extinguished the fire and checked the walls to make sure the fire had not spread to other parts of the building. The cause of the fire is not known yet. As crews check the electrical systems of the building complex to ensure no damages, residents have been evacuated. The Red Cross is assisting affected residents. Crews with the fire department are also assisting with recovering personal belongings and needs of residents affected. Two people were evaluated for minor injuries. One resident was brought to Duluth to receive medical attention. Cloquet Area Fire District was assisted by Carlton and Esko Fire Departments. The fire remains under investigation.
