Marjorie Jane Hible dies in fatal Ely motorized wheelchair fire
Fatal Ely motorized wheelchair fire death of Marjorie Jane Hible – Obituary
Authorities have identified 80-year-old Marjorie Jane Hible of Ely as the woman who tragically died after her motorized wheelchair caught fire.
Hible, a resident of the Boundary Waters Care Facility, suffered critical injuries in the incident, which occurred on January 6, 2025.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 4:38 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting the fire. According to the report, Hible was fully engulfed in flames before staff members managed to remove her from the burning scooter. She sustained severe burns and was initially taken to Ely Hospital. She was later airlifted to a hospital in Duluth, where she passed away from her injuries.
A preliminary investigation by the State Fire Marshal suggests that smoking may have accidentally caused the fire. One staff member who sustained minor injuries during the incident was treated and released from the hospital.
The Ely Police Department extended its condolences to Hible’s family, friends, and caregivers, expressing sympathy during this difficult time. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the exact cause of the fire.
