ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A holiday weekend celebration turned tragic when a campfire explosion near Hibbing, Minnesota, claimed the life of 53-year-old Marvin Theisen and left several others injured. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Friday in the 12000 block of Jaranson Road in French Township, approximately 20 miles north of Hibbing.
According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the explosion was triggered by an unknown flammable liquid used to ignite the campfire. The flames rapidly intensified, causing fatal injuries to Theisen and serious burns to a 14-year-old girl from Saginaw, who was airlifted to a hospital in the Twin Cities for specialized care.
Six other individuals, ranging in age from 14 to over 60, suffered burn and inhalation injuries and were transported to a local hospital via ambulance or private vehicle. The French Township Fire Department, EMS, and First Responders, along with Chisholm and Hibbing ambulance services, Life Link III, and Guardian Flight, responded to the emergency.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, is continuing to investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of the explosion.