[Updated: 12/11/16 at 2:15 p.m.]
Earlier this morning we were notified that there was a large fire in The Main Lodge at Boyne Highlands Resort. A statement released by Boyne Highlands stated approximately 40% of the building sustained fire damage, with much of the other part of the building affected by fire/smoke. There were 64 rooms occupied on Saturday night in the Main Lodge, with an approximate total of 113 overnight guests. Current reports of 12 injuries with 1 being transported out of the area.
Scroll down below to see the official update from Boyne Highlands Resort
Dec. 11, 6:30AM – The Main Lodge hotel at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs experienced a significant structure fire this morning. There are unconfirmed reports of injuries among guests escaping the fire. The Harbor Springs Area Fire Department and local EMS are on scene managing the situation. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
As additional information from Boyne comes available we will update this post. Send your positive thoughts to family, friends and the staff at Boyne.
About The Main Lodge
Possibly the most recognizable building at Boyne Highlands is The Main Lodge – it’s iconic and massive in scale.
Local photographer Alex Childress Photo was on scene, originally as the call went out to locals for the need to lend a hand. As Alex put it, it sounded as if nobody had arrived yet. Far from the truth.
Absolutely awful as Boyne Highlands Resort caught fire early this morning. Alerts were sent out to locals about the need for help, so my kids and I jumped in the car and raced over there. My initial motivation was to help anyone injured, as the alerts seemed to imply that all the Fire/EMS/Police hadn’t arrived yet. When we got there though, that wasn’t the case…almost all personnel in Northern Michigan were there. I spent the rest of the time talking to police officers and fireman and decided to document some of it.
Photos Courtesy of Alex Childress Photo
[UPDATE: 12/11/16 2:15 p.m.] – Official Update from Boyne Highlands Resort
Harbor Springs, Mich. (December 11, 2016, 2 p.m.) – The Main Lodge hotel at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs experienced a significant structure fire early this morning. The resort alerted 911 at 1:36 a.m.and first responders from the Harbor Springs Area Fire Department and additional firefighters and emergency medical and law enforcement officials were dispatched.
Boyne Highlands has received confirmation of 12 injuries, with one individual being transported to a hospital outside of the area. Due to patient privacy concerns and laws, the resort cannot provide information related to identities or specific medical conditions.
As of 1 p.m., firefighters were still on scene extinguishing hot spots in the structure.
There were 64 rooms occupied on Saturday night in the Main Lodge, with an approximate total of 113 overnight guests.
“Our primary concern right now is for those impacted by the fire, and for their health and wellbeing,” said Mike Chumbler, president/general manager of Boyne Highlands Resort. “We’re extremely grateful to the fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies who are managing the situation.”
Initial estimates are that approximately 40 percent of the building sustained some degree of fire damage, and that much of the rest of the lodge was impacted by fire, smoke and water. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Harbor Springs Fire Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
The resort will remain closed today. A re-opening date has not yet been determined.