The historic Lutsen Resort on Minnesota’s North Shore was destroyed by a fire overnight. Here is a look from above at what is left of the Lutsen Resort on Tuesday morning. You can see the chimney remained standing. According to our WDIO crew, flames and smoke could still be seen as of 7pm on Tuesday, with hot spots still being managed with a hose and a portable sprinkler system.

The general manager, is feeling confident about the future.

“The owners, the original founding family, the Nelsons did that twice in their history. In ’49 and ’51, and we’re the newest caretakers and we’ll do it again,” Edward Vanegas told WDIO News.

He said they are calling everyone who had reservations personally, to let them know about what happened.

The fire broke out overnight at the Lutsen Resort. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, a call came in about a fire alarm at the Lutsen Resort at approximately 12:24 a.m. on Tuesday, February 6. According to the report, staff had noticed smoke coming from the floor in the lobby area of the resort.

When authorities arrived, the building was completely engulfed. Responders were told there were no guests were on site and no injuries were reported.

Chief Steve Ducols with the Lutsen Fire Department said one person was in the building when the fire started and crews were lucky that the parking lot was empty. He said the fire took off very fast.

“The building’s 80 years old, you know. So this was kind of our fear in the area of this this resort,” he said.

He said it was a huge fire. “You could feel it on your face,” Ducols said. “Back about 20 feet in front of the fire truck there, when it was really going you just kind of shield your face. It was hot.”

Another concern was the water supply. Chief Ducols said there are two hydrants available and getting consistent water on the fire is their biggest issue with several departments from Cook and Lake County coming to help.

Video Credit: Tim Miller

“We had one pump down there (at the lake) pumping up to the truck and it was sufficient that we had – six or seven water tenders shuttling water,” Ducols said.

The Lutsen Fire Department, Tofte Fire Department, Tofte First Responders, Grand Marais Fire Department, Maple Hill Fire Department, Gunflint Fire Department, Finland Fire Department, Silver Bay Fire Department, Grand Portage Fire Department, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The State Fire Marshall is investigating, and all media inquiries can be directed to their office.

Reaction is pouring out on social media to a fire that destroyed Lutsen Resort, 5700 West Minnesota 61 in Lutsen, Minnesota overnight. People are posting about their favorite memories and milestones, from weddings to anniversaries to reunions and more.

The lodge was built in 1885 and according to a post from the official Lutsen Lodge on Facebook, the lodge had devastating fires in 1949, 1951, and now 2024. “The amazing memories made here are in our hearts as we begin the heavy weighted process to rebuilt back better.”