Historic Lutsen Resort Main Lodge Destroyed in Early Morning Fire
1. Alarm and Response:
- At 12:24 a.m., the Cook County Sheriff’s Office received a fire alarm notification from Lutsen Resort.
- Staff reported smoke in the lobby area, and soon the building was completely engulfed.
- Fortunately, there were no guests on-site, and no injuries were reported.
2. Fire Chief’s Statement:
- Lutsen Fire Chief Steve Duclos stated that the cause of the fire is undetermined, and the State Fire Marshall will investigate.
- Duclos described the rapid engulfment of the building, emphasizing its historical significance and vulnerability.
3. Fire Containment and Crews:
- The Lutsen Fire Department responded immediately, joined by several other fire departments and first responders.
- After eight hours of battling the blaze, fire crews began to be released from the scene.
- Notable responders included Lutsen Fire Department, Tofte Fire Department, Grand Marais Fire Department, and others.
4. Resort’s History and Renovations:
- Established in the mid-1880s, Lutsen Resort has undergone multiple ownership changes, with Bryce Campbell taking over in 2018.
- Recent renovation efforts aimed to expand the main lodge, with plans for new spaces and additions.
5. Previous Fires and Rebuilding:
- The lodge has faced fires in its history, with incidents in 1949, 1951, and now 2024.
- Despite the devastation, Lutsen Resort expressed determination to rebuild and create new memories.
6. Community Support and Reaction:
- Visit Cook County Executive Director Linda Jurek expressed sympathy for the resort’s owners and emphasized the significant investment made in the lodge.
- Local businesses, such as Cascade Lodge, provided support by delivering meals and coffee to firefighting crews.
Conclusion:
- The loss of the historic Lutsen Resort main lodge is a significant blow to the community, but the spirit of resilience and support shines through as efforts begin to rebuild and restore this iconic landmark.
