Firefighter killed in accident

ESKO (AP) -- An Esko volunteer firefighter was killed Monday when he was hit by a car on the interstate south of Duluth, where he and others were fighting a car fire.

The firefighter, Kim Granholm, 29, was struck by a car that was rear-ended by a pickup truck. The car was slowing down to pass the burning vehicle when it was hit by the truck.

Three firefighters, an Esko police officer, the driver of the car that was on fire, and the driver of one of the car that was hit by the truck were also injured. They were taken by ambulance to Duluth hospitals.

The State Patrol said the chain reaction crash started about 7:20 a.m. in the left lane of the freeway and ended on the right shoulder, where the firefighters were tending to the car fire.

The pickup involved in the crash left the scene but was found a short time later by Hermantown police. The driver was being held Monday night in the Carlton County jail and may be charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.