Fire destroys home in Grand Portage

A Grand Portage family lost their home to fire over the weekend. A 9-1-1 call came into Cook County Law Enforcement just before midnight Saturday, Dec. 28 reporting a fire in the basement of a home on Store Road.

The family—two adults and four children—were home at the time of the fire and were all able to escape safely.

The Grand Portage, Hovland and Colvill fire departments were paged and multiple responders were on scene by 1:40 a.m.

Responders reported smoke coming from all sides of the residence and then, shortly after arrival, flames were visible coming from the right corner of the structure, where the woodstove and water heater were located. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze until nearly 3:30 a.m.

The State Fire Marshal was contacted and will investigate, but arson is not suspected.

The home was completely destroyed by the fire and the family—two adults and four children—lost all their belongings. Clothing and essentials for the family are being accepted at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Grand Marais and Mount Rose Church in Grand Portage.

Clothing is needed for:
One adult male – pant size 38/32, extra-large shirts, shoe size 11 or 12
One adult female – size 15 - 17 pants, 2X shirt, shoe size 7 or 8
Teenage girl – size 11-12, XL shirts, shoe size 9
9-year-old  girl - pants size 5, large shirts, shoes 6 or 6.5
Twin 2-year-olds – boy, size 5T and shoe size 10 and girl, size 6T, shoe size 10

The family will also need furnishing and household goods, an update will be posted when needs are determined. 

An account has been established at the North Shore Federal Credit Union under “Amy Deschampe, Grand Portage House Fire.”