Structure fire destroys historic Lutsen Resort along Lake Superior

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Updated at 1:31 p.m.

Lutsen Resort’s historic main lodge is destroyed after a structure fire in the early hours of February 6.

At approximately 12:24 a.m., the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fire alarm at Lutsen Resort. Lutsen Resort staff reported smoke coming from the floor in the lobby area.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said the building was completely engulfed. There were no guests at the scene and no injuries were reported.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski was at the Lutsen Resort this morning and spoke with Lutsen Fire Chief Steve Duclos.

Duclos said the cause of the fire is not determined at this time and that the state fire marshal will investigate the incident. At 9:30 a.m., firefighters arrived and are assessing the scene.

“It got completely submerged pretty quickly,” Duclos said. “The history of Lutsen Resort is old, you know, as old as we all feared it was a big tinderbox.”

Duclos said the Lutsen Fire Department arrived on scene immediately after the fire alarm call at 12:30 a.m.

After containing the fire at approximately 8 a.m., Duclos began releasing responding fire department colleagues. Responding units were Lutsen Fire Department, Tofte Fire Department, Tofte Fire Department, Grand Marais Fire Department, Maple Hill Fire Department, Gunflint Fire Department, Finland Fire Department, Silver Bay Fire Department, Grand Portage Fire Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office. .

Since the establishment of Lutsen Resort in the mid-1880s by Charles Axel (CAA), Nelson Lutsen Resort has passed through several hands of ownership. The most recent manager to take over the iconic resort is Bryce Campbell in 2018.

in a September 2023 interview with WTIPCampbell and resort manager Edward Vanegas said they were undergoing renovations to expand the main lodge by creating new spaces on the third floor and adding wings or additions to the main building.

The Lutsen Resort hostel building has suffered fires in the past. Fires destroyed the building in 1949, 1951 and now in 2024.

In a Facebook post, Lutsen Resort said: “The incredible memories made here are in our hearts as we begin the heavy process of building back better.”

WTIP spoke with Visit Cook County Executive Director Linda Jurek following the Lutsen Resort news on February 6.

“This is a big blow,” Jurek said. “Bryce Campbell, the owner, has put enormous effort and investment into Lutsen Lodge and the new brand. So our hearts go out to them this morning.”

“Positive thoughts for our friends at Lutsen Lodge,” Jurek said.

After firefighters battled the blaze into the early morning hours, Cascade Lodge delivered meals and two gallons of coffee to fire crews.

After the firefighters and first responders returned home, the EMS director in North Shore Health, Karla Pankow, said in a post, “Grateful for our fellow fire crews, near and far, who have been battling the Lutsen Resort fire since midnight. We are here for you.”

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski was present at the Lutsen Resort fire this morning. Photos from the scene are below.

Below is audio of WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski’s live interview on North Shore Morning. Audio of Wisniewski’s interview with Fire Chief Steve Duclos is below.