Multiple crews responded to a fire in Gnesen Township

Fire fighters battled a structure fire in Gnesen Township on Thursday afternoon. Multiple agencies were called to respond to the area of E Van Road off off of Highway 4 near Island Lake around 4 p.m.

Smoke could be seen from Highway 4.

According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office, “The home owner returned home from work, lit an exterior wood-fired boiler and went inside of the home. Smoke was observed a short time later near the boiler. Eventually, the boiler, a shed and large garage were completely consumed by the fire.”

The home-owner sustained minor burns.

The incident is under investigation by the sheriff’s office.

Volunteer Fire Departments from Gnesen, Rice Lake, Normanna, and Grand Lake, and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad  responded to the scene.