Duluth Fire Department Chief Shawn Krizaj Archives

City of Duluth to Require Masks in Public City Buildings, Fire Stations Close to Public

While the city plans to keep its buildings open to everyone, Duluth Fire stations are the exception. They are now closed to the public again, just days after reopening.

August 3, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The City Of Duluth is bringing back its mask mandate for all city employees and the public inside all city-owned buildings — regardless of a person’s vaccination status. “Personally it is frustrating to be at this point,” Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said. “I know that many of us would like this to be over.” “Last week I didn’t…

Duluth Teen Hailed as Hero for Saving Family from House Fire

15-year-old Lizzy Grayhawk awoke to the second story of her home on the 1100 block of East 10th street on fire -- heavy flames coming from a second story window.

June 8, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A Duluth family is lucky to be alive after their house went up in flames, and fire officials are calling the family’s 15-year-old daughter a hero in the fire fight. “You might’ve been scared, but you really were a hero last night,” Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj said to Lizzy Grayhawk Tuesday. The Grayhawk family all safe and…

Unsafe Structure of Kozy Prolongs Investigation into Cause of Latest Fire, Chief Says

Chief Krizaj said a natural spark like lightning isn't suspected, and no electricity or people were found inside.

November 2, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Fire Chief spoke out Monday involving Sunday’s fire, once again at the condemned former Kozy building in Downtown Duluth — with the cause still under investigation. According to the Chief, the fire broke out around 9:50 Sunday morning, on the second floor above the bar. The flames were put out around three in the afternoon. “We got…

Minnesota National Guard Delivers Cots to St. Louis County for Potential COVID-19 Shelter

250 cots from Camp Ripley will be stocked and distributed on a need-basis.

March 31, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota National Guard arrived in St. Louis County Tuesday morning to deliver hundreds of cots for a potential COVID-19 shelter. According to officials, while they’ve planned for pandemics in the past, none come close to the magnitude of planning required for Coronavirus. The Minnesota National Guard assisted St. Louis County by delivering 250 cots, bringing their total…

Duluth Fire Chief Details City’s Response if Coronavirus Hits Northland

Fire Chief said not to panic, but expect the virus in the County at some point.

March 9, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As the second case of Coronavirus was discovered in Minnesota on Sunday, the City of Duluth says it has what it is calling a pandemic plan that could be utilized should the need arise. According to Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj, the city is closely monitoring the virus on the local, state, and national level. They are also…

Torah Scroll Remnants from Adas Israel Synagogue Fire Caught in Garage Fire

Remnants of four Torah scrolls stored in storage garage to be buried, garage caught fire Sunday.

November 19, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- More than two months since the Adas Israel Synagogue burned to the ground, a new tragedy has struck the congregation–remnants of four Torah scrolls that were damaged in the original fire were caught in another fire Sunday. Rabbi Phillip Sher of the Adas Israel Congregation said the remnants of those four Torah scrolls were stored in that garage…

Arrest Made in Synagogue Fire, No Evidence of Hate Crime Yet

36-year-old Matthew James Amiot of Duluth arrested for arson.

September 15, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At a press conference Sunday Duluth Police and Fire announced that a suspect has been arrested for starting the Adas Israel Synagogue Fire. 36-year-old Matthew James Amiot of Duluth was arrested for Arson Friday afternoon, Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken said. Charges are imminent, meanwhile authorities recommended charging Amiot with arson in the first degree. Despite being arrested…

No Cause Known for Adas Israel Fire, Police Chief Not Ruling Out Arson

Police and Fire Chief updated the public in a press conference on Monday.

September 9, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The charred remains are all that stands of the historic Adas Israel Synagogue in Duluth. At a press conference at City Hall, officials said while it is early in the investigation, arson has not been ruled out, and they are interviewing people of interest. “We have today interviewed a couple of people of interest and we will see…

Streets Around Adas Israel Synagogue Closed as Fire Crews Investigate Cause

Fire was the biggest they've seen in while, Fire Chief said.

September 9, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At a press conference, the Duluth Fire Chief released an update on the fire that burned down the Adas Israel Synagogue in Duluth. The East Third Street building caught fire around 2:30 Monday morning, in a blaze the Fire Chief said is the biggest they’ve seen in a while. It took crews a few hours to get the…

Duluth Council Approves Shawn Krizaj As Fire Chief

Unanimous vote appoints Krizaj after Edwards stepped down.

August 26, 2019

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- On Monday night the Duluth City Council voted 7-0 to appoint Mayor Emily Larson’s choice for the city’s next Fire Chief, Shawn Krizaj. Krizaj has been with the Duluth Fire Department for almost 22 years, starting as a firefighter and working his way up to Deputy Chief. Most recently he became Acting Chief in April, when Dennis Edwards…

Duluth Fire Department Chief Shawn Krizaj

City of Duluth to Require Masks in Public City Buildings, Fire Stations Close to Public

While the city plans to keep its buildings open to everyone, Duluth Fire stations are the exception. They are now closed to the public again, just days after reopening.

Duluth Teen Hailed as Hero for Saving Family from House Fire

15-year-old Lizzy Grayhawk awoke to the second story of her home on the 1100 block of East 10th street on fire -- heavy flames coming from a second story window.

Unsafe Structure of Kozy Prolongs Investigation into Cause of Latest Fire, Chief Says

Chief Krizaj said a natural spark like lightning isn't suspected, and no electricity or people were found inside.

Minnesota National Guard Delivers Cots to St. Louis County for Potential COVID-19 Shelter

250 cots from Camp Ripley will be stocked and distributed on a need-basis.

Duluth Fire Chief Details City’s Response if Coronavirus Hits Northland

Fire Chief said not to panic, but expect the virus in the County at some point.

Torah Scroll Remnants from Adas Israel Synagogue Fire Caught in Garage Fire

Remnants of four Torah scrolls stored in storage garage to be buried, garage caught fire Sunday.

Arrest Made in Synagogue Fire, No Evidence of Hate Crime Yet

36-year-old Matthew James Amiot of Duluth arrested for arson.

No Cause Known for Adas Israel Fire, Police Chief Not Ruling Out Arson

Police and Fire Chief updated the public in a press conference on Monday.

Streets Around Adas Israel Synagogue Closed as Fire Crews Investigate Cause

Fire was the biggest they've seen in while, Fire Chief said.

Duluth Council Approves Shawn Krizaj As Fire Chief

Unanimous vote appoints Krizaj after Edwards stepped down.

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Duluth Fire Department Chief Shawn Krizaj

While the city plans to keep its buildings open to everyone, Duluth Fire stations are the exception. They are now closed to the public again, just days after reopening.

15-year-old Lizzy Grayhawk awoke to the second story of her home on the 1100 block of East 10th street on fire -- heavy flames coming from a second story window.

Chief Krizaj said a natural spark like lightning isn't suspected, and no electricity or people were found inside.

250 cots from Camp Ripley will be stocked and distributed on a need-basis.

Fire Chief said not to panic, but expect the virus in the County at some point.

Remnants of four Torah scrolls stored in storage garage to be buried, garage caught fire Sunday.

36-year-old Matthew James Amiot of Duluth arrested for arson.

Police and Fire Chief updated the public in a press conference on Monday.

Fire was the biggest they've seen in while, Fire Chief said.

Unanimous vote appoints Krizaj after Edwards stepped down.

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