Update: Cook County Sheriff Eliasen says Lutsen Resort Main Lodge NOT an active crime scene; still asking people to stay away from property
Feb 09, 2024 03:29PM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Scott Rodgerson
From the MN State Fire Marshall and the Cook County Sheriff's Office - February 9, 2024
Update February 9, 2024, 5:00pm.
Cook County Sheriff Eliasen and the Department of Public Safety issued an updated press release on Friday, February 9, 2024, around 5:00pm. An email with Jen Longaecker, Deputy Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Boreal Community Media confirmed that the area is NOT an active crime scene by saying "It is not a crime scene at this time. It is a dangerous area and we need the public to stay away for their safety and to protect the scene to preserve the integrity of the investigation."
The official release from the Dept of Public Safety and the Cook County Sheriff's Department states the following:
"The cause of the fire at the Lutsen Resort Main Lodge is still under investigation. We apologize that we were not clear in our communication earlier today. We are working to preserve the integrity of the fire scene and keep people safe by asking them to stay out of the area. Anyone who puts their own safety at risk or enters a potential crime scene will be detained.
Update February 9, 2024, 5:00pm.
Cook County Sheriff Eliasen and the Department of Public Safety issued an updated press release on Friday, February 9, 2024, around 5:00pm. An email with Jen Longaecker, Deputy Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Boreal Community Media confirmed that the area is NOT an active crime scene by saying "It is not a crime scene at this time. It is a dangerous area and we need the public to stay away for their safety and to protect the scene to preserve the integrity of the investigation."
The official release from the Dept of Public Safety and the Cook County Sheriff's Department states the following:
"The cause of the fire at the Lutsen Resort Main Lodge is still under investigation. We apologize that we were not clear in our communication earlier today. We are working to preserve the integrity of the fire scene and keep people safe by asking them to stay out of the area. Anyone who puts their own safety at risk or enters a potential crime scene will be detained.
It is still too early to determine whether this fire started accidentally or was set intentionally. We are asking the public to stay away from the area.
The area around the lodge was secured to limit access for safety concerns around unstable fire debris and structural items, including chimney stacks. The area is also secure to preserve the scene for the ongoing investigation."
Boreal Community Media will provide updates as soon as they are available.
The original press release from the Minnesota State Fire Marshal and the Cook County Sheriff's Department can be found below:
The Minnesota State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office want to notify everyone that the area of the Lutsen Resort main lodge is an official crime scene. You may not enter without permission. Sheriff’s Deputies will be patrolling the area, and anyone found inside the taped perimeter will be detained.
At this time, no other information is available. In a press release issued by the State of Minnesota Fire Marshall on February 7, 2024, "Specific details, including the daily investigative actions in this case, cannot be released per Minnesota Statute 13.82."
The Historic Lutsen Lodge caught fire in the early morning hours of February 6, 2024. There were no guests at the time, and no one was injured.
Related: MN State Fire Marshall issues details of previous fire inspection at the Historic Lutsen Lodge, which found seven violations, three still unresolved
At this time, no other information is available. In a press release issued by the State of Minnesota Fire Marshall on February 7, 2024, "Specific details, including the daily investigative actions in this case, cannot be released per Minnesota Statute 13.82."
The Historic Lutsen Lodge caught fire in the early morning hours of February 6, 2024. There were no guests at the time, and no one was injured.
Related: MN State Fire Marshall issues details of previous fire inspection at the Historic Lutsen Lodge, which found seven violations, three still unresolved
