Gordon Adams Jr.

NETT LAKE- A house fire here on Sunday, March 24 claimed the life of the home’s resident, 66-year-old Gordon Adams Jr., marking a significant loss for the Nett Lake community.
Adams was well-known throughout Indian Country, having served in a variety of tribal positions over the years, including executive director for the Bois Forte Tribal Council. He later served two terms on the tribal council and was a representative from Bois Forte to the National Indian Gaming Association. He also served as business manager for Bois Forte Enterprises and was a First Responder for the Bois Forte Ambulance. His full obituary appears on 3B of this week’s edition.
Early morning fire
According to a report by Friends of the Northland Firewire, the fire on Ridge Dr. was reported to dispatchers about 4:20 a.m. The Bois Forte, Orr, Cook, and Buyck fire departments were paged out for the call, but the Cook and Buyck departments were canceled before arriving at the scene. When the Bois Forte and Orr departments along with the Bois Forte Ambulance arrived on the scene, the house was engulfed in flames. They received word that a person was in the house but the fire was apparently too involved and intense to safely attempt a search and rescue.
According to Adams’ obituary, he succumbed to the fire after getting the rest of his family out of the house. Adams’ body was later discovered in the remains of the house.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in determining the cause of the fire.
Second fire
On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 27, the Cook department responded along with the Pike-Sandy-Britt and Kinney-Great Scott departments to another house fire in the 9500 block of County Hwy. 65 in the Lake Leander area north of Virginia. The house was totally engulfed in flames and was a total loss. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.