ELY - Eight people from two families were displaced early Sunday morning as a result of a house fire in Ely.

According to the Ely Fire Department, the fire was reported around 1 a.m. at a duplex located at 26 White Street. Upon arrival, firefighters found flames coming out of first- and second-story windows.

According to the officials, all of the residents were able to safely evacuate the house, however one occupant was taken to the Ely hospital for possible smoke inhalation.

The owner of the rental duplex, Ely City Council member Paul Kess, said Monday that a victims’ account has been established at the Ely Area Credit Union to take donations for the two families. A social media site has also been established to accept donations. Go to www.youcaring.com for more information.

“Our daughter, Dana, her partner Patrick Bishop, and their three kids lived in the first-floor apartment,” Kess said. Second -floor residents included a couple and a baby.

“The families lost everything,” Kess said. “They need clothes, furniture, beds, food. Everything is gone.”

Kess said he believes the historic house is a total loss. “That house was owned by Dr. Shipman and it was located on Shipman Island in Shagawa Lake,” he said. “They moved it into town in the 1920s. At that time, White Street was literally at the edge of town.”

A Babbitt firefighter suffered a wrist injury after slipping and falling on the ice.

Firefighters from Ely, Babbitt and Morse-Fall Lake were on the scene and the house was extensively damaged, according to the report.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the fire and the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.