VIDEO: Fire Destroys Historic Minnesota North Shore Lodge in Lutsen

LUTSEN, Minn. (KVRR/KQDS) — A devastating fire destroys the historic Lutsen Resort Lodge in Lutsen, Minnesota.

Cook County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fire alarm at the resort along the North Shore after midnight.

Staff at Minnesota’s oldest resort reported smoke coming from the floor in the lobby, just above the boiler/basement area.

The flames quickly grew to engulf the lodge.

A manager says an employee made it out safely and no guests were checked in because it was early in the week.

The Lutsen Lodge also had fires in 1949 and 1951.

They are already talking about rebuilding back better so the lodge can provide more amazing memories.

“It’s heartbreaking to see that those memories will now just be a memory, they can’t come back to the same building they used to come,” said Edward Vanegas, the general manager who arrived on scene shortly after the fire started.

“But our goal is to rebuild it in the same way using the same plans from 1951, we still have those architectural drawings and rebuild in a modern way with new building codes and mechanicals put it back and create new memories for some of those same people.”

The State Fire Marshal is investigating.