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At 11:08 p.m. on April 1, the Ely Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 254 North 5th Avenue East in Ely.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a two-story single-family dwelling with thick smoke and some flames coming from the rear of the structure. As it was unclear if the home had been evacuated, an interior search team entered the structure but was turned back due to heavy heat and smoke.
Following rapid initial fire suppression, additional teams were dispatched into the building until a female occupant was located. This occupant was taken out of the structure by firefighters and sent by Ely Ambulance to the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.
The victim, later identified as Diane Larson, age 64, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Two family dogs also perished in the fire.
Suppression activities continued and another search was initiated after incident command learned there may be another occupant in the building. Multiple searches revealed this to not be the case and the search for any further victims was called off.
Fire suppression efforts continued until the fire was extinguished and firefighters began salvage and overhaul to identify and extinguish any fire extension into the walls and attic spaces. No adjacent exposures or other structures were impacted by the fire.
Agencies assisting include Ely Police, Ely Area Ambulance Service, Babbitt Fire, Morse Fall Lake Fire, and the St. Louis County Sheriff.
“Ely Fire is grateful to these agencies for sending professional, well-trained personnel to assist in managing this event,” said Ely fire chief Dave Marshall.
No injuries to members of responding agencies were reported. This incident is being investigated by Ely Fire, Ely Police and the State of Minnesota Fire Marshal’s office.
Marshall said further information on the victim and cause of the fire will be released as it becomes available.
