Duluth Radio: Christian WQRM Hit By Weekend Fire

A Duluth radio station sustained more than a half-million dollars in damage from a fire early Sunday morning, reports bringmethenews.com. 

The fire was reported just after 3 a.m. at Christian WQRM 850 AM / W249CX 97.7 FM, with the reporting party telling dispatch that they could see flames coming from the building.

Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and fire coming from an equipment building that is attached to the main two-story building. Fire crews were able to knock down the flames within 10 minutes while another fire crew set up a 2,500-foot relay pumping operation from the nearest hydrant.

Three radio transmitters were destroyed in the equipment building, with Duluth Fire Department estimating at least $500,000 in equipment damage and a further $75,000 in structure damage.

Remaining hot spots were put out after about three hours on scene.

WQRM 850 AM (50 Kw-D, 14 Kw-Critical hours)

WQRM went on the air as WWJC in 1963 and was the first Christian radio station in the Northland. The station was sold to VCY America, a Milwaukee-based broadcaster of Christian radio, back in 2014.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.