CROSBY-A family of five and two other people were displaced Friday, Jan. 4, after a fire damaged a Crosby duplex.
According to the police scanner, a frantic caller reported the structure fire on the 500 block of First Street Southwest shortly after 4:30 p.m. Firefighters from several area departments responded to the blaze, including those from Crosby, Ironton and Deerwood. At 5:15 p.m., the Brainerd Fire Department was called for mutual aid to provide a ladder truck and manpower.
Crosby Police Chief Kim Coughlin said it appeared the fire started on the north side of the building, in one of two apartments located within the duplex. Coughlin said in addition to the people impacted, as of 6 p.m. Friday there were family pets missing and possibly dead as a result of the fire.
Despite the date on the calendar, firefighters faced spring-like conditions while battling the flames. The temperature registered at 37 degrees just before 5 p.m. at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport.
According to Crow Wing County tax records, the taxpayer for the property is D & J Rental and Renovation of Baxter. The assessed value of the building as of 2018 is $123,800.
