One year anniversary of Lutsen Lodge fire, owner talks resort future, financial past

LUTSEN, Minn. (Northern News Now) - One year ago, the historic Lutsen Lodge burned to the ground in an overnight fire.

Since then, questions about the building’s future and the owner Bryce Campbell’s past have surfaced.

Campbell said he is frustrated but hopeful one year later.

“Just knowing it’s already been a year and there’s been not a lot of headway, it’s discouraging and it’s gonna be a many year process to get to the finish line,” said Campbell.

Campbell said there are plans to rebuild the lodge underway that include as much of the original structure as possible.

“That was one we were always kind of worried about if it did go, it was gonna be a hot one and so we all know there was no saving it,” said Lutsen Fire Chief Steve Duclos.

What was salvageable was not the only question that arose after the Lutsen Lodge burned down.

Many began to question Campbell’s financial past, after having civil suits totaling more about $150,000 filed against him by associations he says also owed him money.

“I’ve made decent headway,” said Campbell. “I’d say halfway there. Obviously one year, when you lose your business, you lose any income, so it’s been a lot of work to try and get things whole again.”

Campbell said ideally, they would be able to clean up the site in the summer and start before next winter.

However, he must wait until the ongoing insurance and State Fire Marshal’s investigations are complete.

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