Authorities in Cook County reported that the historic Lutsen Resort lodge on the North Shore was completely destroyed by a fire early Tuesday morning. Fortunately, there were no injuries as there were no guests present in the building at the time of the fire, although staff members were on-site. Fire crews from eight different departments battled the blaze, but the building was fully engulfed in flames and the resort officials have declared it a total loss. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Lutsen Resort has a rich history, dating back to 1885, and is separate from the nearby Lutsen Mountains ski resort. This is not the first time tragedy has struck the main lodge, as it had previously been destroyed by fires in both 1949 and 1951. Despite the devastating loss, the resort expressed gratitude for the countless memories made at the lodge and vowed to rebuild and come back stronger. The destruction of the lodge is a significant blow to the community and to the tourism industry in the area, and will leave a lasting impact on the local economy. The resort’s Facebook page posted a message acknowledging the heartbreaking loss and expressing hope for the future as they begin the process of rebuilding the historic lodge.