Fire at Northernaire Houseboats Still an Active Scene, Cause Unknown at this Time

August 24, 2022 – At approximately 5:11 pm this evening, Koochiching County Dispatch Center was
notified of a structure fire at Northernaire Houseboats on Rainy Lake in International Falls. Responding to
the scene are International Falls Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) with mutual aid from Little Fork VFD,
International Falls Ambulance Service, Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office. When firefighters arrived on
scene the main business office/home of Northernaire Houseboats was fully engulfed. A portion of the
building was an older log structure making the fire exceptionally hot and difficult to battle.
At this time, two victims related to the incident were transported to Rainy Lake Medical Center. One
individual in critical condition was transported to another medical facility for a higher level of trauma
care and another is reported to be in stable condition; being treated at Rainy Lake Medical Center.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and the fire is still an active scene. The Minnesota Duty
Officer has been notified and the fire will be investigated by the Minnesota Fire Marshal’s Office. At 8:25
pm the fire has been mostly knocked down and crews are entering the mop up stage.
No further information is available at this time. Updates will be released as more information is available.