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INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — A resort owner was airlifted to a hospital after unsuccessfully attempting to rescue her mother, who died in a fire Wednesday night at Northernaire Houseboats on Rainy Lake.
Vonnette L. Mills, 51, owner of Northernaire, was in critical condition and was flown to a trauma facility. No updates on her condition were available Thursday.
The International Falls Fire Department discovered the body of Lavonne S. Hershberger, 85, inside the main office/house at approximately 11:20 p.m., according to a news release from the Koochiching County Emergency Operations Center.
A 12-year-old girl was also transported to Rainy Lake Medical Center on Wednesday night and remained in stable condition Thursday.
Two firefighters who were transported and treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration were later released.
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The fire was reported just after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters battled the blaze overnight and cleared the scene around 3 a.m. Thursday.
Hershberger's body will be transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in the Twin Cities, the news release said.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Division arrived on the scene around 11 p.m. Wednesday to begin investigation. Officials believe the fire is likely accidental, but the investigation is ongoing, the news release said.
