Photo by Dick Parker The home of John R. “Ivan” Pederson at 183 County Road 60 was completely destroyed by an explosion and fire on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Pederson is recovering at Hennepin County Medical Center.
An explosion and fire at 183 County Road 60 severely injured Grand Marais resident John R. “Ivan” Pederson and destroyed his home on Saturday, October 17, 2009.
At 4:33 a.m. Pederson’s neighbor, Charlie Sawyer, made a call to Cook County Law Enforcement reporting a loud explosion. As other emergency calls came in reporting the explosion and a fire at Pederson’s house, the Maple Hill Fire Department, Grand Marais First Responders, and Cook County Ambulance were paged. The Grand Marais Fire Department was paged to standby.
Pederson’s vehicle was not at his home and emergency workers were not sure if he had been home at the time of the fire. It was subsequently discovered that Pederson, with severe burns, had driven himself a half mile to his brother Richard Pederson’s home.
Richard Pederson said he too heard the explosion. He said he thought it was possibly road work on the Gunflint Trail. He was puzzled when he heard knocking on his door a few minutes later and asked who was there. His brother answered, “It’s John—I’m hurt. I need help.”
Staff photo/Rhonda Silence Maple Hill firefighter Doug Klein adjusts emergency lighting as the department worked to ensure that the fire at Pederson’s home had burned out.
Richard Pederson rushed his wounded brother the rest of the way to Cook County North Shore Hospital. John Pederson was transported to Duluth via life flight and then to the Hennepin County Medical Center. Richard Pederson said although John is in very serious condition, his prognosis is good. Richard Pederson said John’s hands were most affected. “He’s doing as good as can be expected. It’s simply a miracle that he managed to get out of there at all,” said Pederson.
The Maple Hill Fire Department arrived on the scene by 4:48 a.m. At 5:08, the Grand Marais Fire Department was asked to “stand down,” as Maple Hill determined that they would be able to extinguish the fire. Radio communication from the Maple Hill Fire Department to Cook County Law Enforcement reported that “the home is on the ground.”
Firefighters had the fire completely under control by 6:14 a.m. and by 7:11 a.m. Maple Hill was able to leave the scene.
It is believed that the fire started because of either a propane leak, in the furnace or a stove burner. However, according to Sheriff Mark Falk it is difficult to determine the cause of the fire because of the extensive damage from the explosion and fire.
Richard Pederson said he joined the State Fire Marshal on the visit and was informed that there are now propane detectors, like smoke and CO detectors. Such a device could possibly have prevented the explosion and fire. Pederson said it would be a good idea for every home to have one. “People take way too much for granted,” he said.
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