Victims in fatal campfire accident identified

FRENCH TOWNSHIP—Marvin Theisen, 53, of Hibbing died and several others were injured Friday night after a campfire exploded about 20 miles north of Hibbing in French Township, a St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department news release said.

Several families and friends had gathered for a campfire around 8:20 p.m. when an “unknown flammable liquid was used to start the fire,’’ which led to exploding flames, causing burn and inhalation injuries to eight individuals ranging in age from 14 to over 60.

A 14-year-old girl from Saginaw, who sustained serious burns, was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital for advanced care.

The other victims, with injuries from minor to serious, were transported by ambulance or private vehicle to an area hospital.

They were identified as: 50-year-old, Roxanne Theisen—Hibbing; 49-year-old, Honey Theisen—Kelliher; 54-year-old, Melissa Krogseng— Kelliher; 58-year-old Jenette Peasley—Blackduck; 28-year-old, Hanna Larson—International Falls; 59-year-old, Raymond Poxleitner—Kelliher.

The incident in the 12000 block of Jaranson Road remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.

Assisting agencies included: French Township Fire, EMS and First Responders, Chisholm ambulance, Hibbing ambulance, Life Link III, and Guardian Flight.