First Fire Related Fatality Reported in Maple Grove History

A 77-year-old Maple Grove woman has died from injuries related to a Dec. 30 fire – the first fire fatality in the city’s history.

The incident occurred Dec. 30 at a home on the 8100 block of Main Street, according to Fire Chief Scott Anderson. The resident sustained “significant” burn injuries when a cigarette fell onto her clothing “caught fire and burned her hair,” he said.

The resident, Emily Rolighed, was initially transported to Hennepin County Medical Center Dec. 30 for treatment, according to Anderson. She passed away Jan. 3, 2013 according to her obituary on legacy.com.

“It could have been a medical issue that was precipitated by the burns, it could have been inhalation…we’ll have to see what the medical examiner says. We’re going to be viewing this as a fire death. Unfortunately, it’s our first one in the history of the city,” Anderson told Channel 12 recently.

Cause of death has not yet been released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, “but it was likely the burns she received contributed,” according to Anderson.

 The Minnesota State Fire Marshal made the determination that Rolighed’s death was considered a fire related fatality.