Lutsen Lodge owner, Bryce Campbell charged with arson, insurance fraud

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Nearly two years after the historic Lutsen Lodge burned to the ground, an arrest has been announced.

According to court documents, Lutsen Lodge owner Bryce Campbell, 41, was charged with arson and insurance fraud.

SEE FULL COVEREAGE HERE: Court documents place Lutsen Lodge owner Bryce Campbell on scene shortly before lodge fire, reveal financial troubles

The historic Lutsen Lodge burned to the ground in an overnight fire on Feb. 6, 2024.

Campbell has owned the Lutsen Resort Company (Lutsen) since August of 2018, when he purchased the resort and its assets for $6,750,000.

On Feb. 6, 2024, authorities were dispatched to a report of a structure fire at Lutsen around 12:24 a.m.

The Lutsen resort and hotel businesses included a primary lodging building with 30 guest rooms.

As we have previously reported, no guests stayed at the lodge the night of the fire, which was unusual according to Edward Vanegas, the general manager of the Lutsen Lodge.

When the fire department arrived on the scene, firefighters attempted to extinguish the fire, though the fire continued to grow, eventually consuming nearly the entire structure.

Crews battled the fire for hours; however, the lodge was deemed a total loss.

Since then, questions about Bryce Campbell’s financial past and civil lawsuits he was facing led to people pointing fingers at him shortly after the fire.

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

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