Man killed, seven injured when campfire explodes north of Hibbing

A holiday weekend celebration turned deadly Friday night when an accelerant caused a campfire to explode about 20 miles north of Hibbing, Minn., killing one man and leaving seven with burns and inhalation injuries, authorities said.

The dead man was identified as Marvin Theisen, 53, of Hibbing. A 14-year-old girl from Saginaw, Minn., was seriously burned and airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital.

Six others suffered minor to serious injuries and were taken to an area hospital. They were identified as Melissa Krogseng, 54, Raymond Poxleitner, 59, and Honey Theisen, 49, all of Kelliher, Minn.; Hanna Larson, 28, of International Falls, Minn.; Jenette Peasley, 58, of Blackduck, Minn.; and Roxanne Theisen, 50, of Hibbing.

A flammable liquid was used to start the campfire around 8:20 p.m. after several families and friends had gathered in French Township, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said. The incident remained under investigation.