Fire breaks out at new Duluth family medicine clinic

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire broke out Tuesday evening in Duluth’s Central Hillside and on a property that suffered a destructive fire four years ago.

The fire happened on Tuesday, March 3, 2026  on the 500-block of East 4th Street.

Smoke could be seen coming from the Palisade Direct Primary Care business.

The company’s social media accounts say the business just opened in March.

As of 9 p.m., FOX 21 was waiting on official details about any injuries, the extent of the damage and what a possible cause is. But the owner of Palisade posted on social media late Tuesday about the fire:

“My wife and I are here now and nobody is hurt. Fire started in the basement below our clinical space, but likely damaged all of our furniture and equipment. I would appreciate everyone’s prayers as we were opening in two weeks. – Dr. Jay Allen”

The fire was confined to the basement area, but smoke and water damage affected the upper floors.

The popular Uncle Loui’s Cafe next door to the medical clinic appeared to be untouched by the fire.

The cause and extent of damage are yet unknown.  The incident is under investigation by the Duluth Fire Marshal’s office.

In September 2022, fire destroyed a building next to Tuesday’s fire that once housed Lake Superior Medical and four apartments up top.  The building was leveled after the fire.