Authorities: Smoking likely the cause of a fire that killed an 80-year-old woman in Ely

Authorities have identified the woman who died from injuries sustained in a fire outside a care facility in Ely. Authorities say 80-year-old, Marjorie Jane Hible was a resident of the Boundary Waters Care Facility.

The Minnesota Fire Marshal continues to investigate the incident, but preliminary findings suggest smoking likely caused the fire.

According to the report, Hible was on a motorized scooter, outside the facility on Monday, January 6. Emergency personnel were called at approximately 4:38 PM after someone reported the fire to 911. The caller stated that the victim was “fully engulfed” before staff were able to assist.

The report says Hible suffered severe burns and was transported to the Ely Hospital before being airlifted to Duluth where she died from her injuries.

According to Ely police, a staff member was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The Ely Police, Ely Fire Department, Ely Area Ambulance Service, Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital, staff at Boundary Waters Care Center, Babbitt Police, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, St. Louis County Dispatchers and Life Link all assisted.