PINE CITY
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 VOL. 132 NO. 16 www.pinecitymn.com $1.00
RUMORS SCARE STUDENTS: Many PCHS students stay home despite assurances. P6
Driver pulled from burning vehicle on CR11 STAFF REPORT NEWS@PINECITYMN.COM
At 8:21 a.m. on April 18, Pine County 911 received a report that a single vehicle had crashed on Henriette Road at Meadow Creek Lane, hit the bridge, and was now on fire. Pine County deputies, Essentia Ambulance and Pine City firefighters responded to the scene. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when responders arrived. The driver, who had been pulled from the burning vehicle by some passersby, was transported to an area hospital and then transferred to a hospital in the Twin Cities. The driver suffered what are being described as serious, life threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation. No names were released pending notification of family.
SCOTT JEANSON
Pelicans plop down on Pokegama Lake MIKE GAINOR | THE PIONEER
A flock of American white pelicans splashed down on Jarvis Bay on Pokegama Lake near Vannelli’s By the Lake on the morning of Sunday, April 16, and appeared to be enjoying the sunshine and warm weather as much as anyone.
Scorch marks remained visible on the southwest corner of the bridge over Mission Creek.
Arson suspected in Pine City Country Store fire BY STEVE BRIGGS BURNETT COUNTY SENTINEL
Pine County deputies and insurance company personnel are investigating a fire they believe was intentionally set in the men’s bathroom at the Pine City Country Store, a gas station/convenience store at 1120 Hillside Avenue in Pine City. The Pine City Country Store is owned and operated by Cliff and Darla Harper, also owners of the Grantsburg Country Store. Cliff Harper said the insurance investigators suspect the fire was started at the electronic hand sanitizer dispenser. The investigators said the sanitizer liquid is about 70 percent alcohol and can
catch fire when exposed to flame. After it was set afire, the sanitizer fell from its wall-mount to the floor against the wall in a corner where the fire spread into the bathroom wall, insulation, ceiling tiles, ductwork and into a second bathroom. Dense smoke filled the store and deposited black soot on ceilings, shelves, store fixtures and merchandise. “We had to close the store immediately,” Cliff Harper said. He added the insurance company brought in a professional cleanup crew, who discarded enough smoke- and fire-damaged merchandise and equipment to fill a 10-yard dumpster. “They have lot of clean-up yet to do and we will be shut down for almost two weeks,” said Harper. They
‘Someone is going to pay for it. The insurance company will probably go after the suspects or their parents’ Cliff Harper Pine City Country Store co-owner hope to re-open the Pine City Country Store on Friday, April 21. The Harpers said authorities have identified one or more young male suspects who were observed at the scene of the fire, which occurred about 4 p.m. Monday, April 10.
Fire and smoke damaged both bathrooms enough that they had to be demolished and replaced, Darla Harper said. The insurance investigators estimated structural damages at $60-70,000, plus another $30-40,000 in lost merchandise. She said insurance will help cover business losses in addition to the repair and cleanup expenses. Pine City Fire Department extinguished and investigated the fire. They were assisted in their investigation by Pine County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal. “Someone is going to pay for it,” Cliff Harper said. “The insurance company will probably go after the suspects or their parents.”
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