Fire destroys historic Maplelag Resort

CALLAWAY, Minn. – A well-known family-owned resort in northern Minnesota has been destroyed by fire.

Crews from multiple departments were called to the Maplelag Resort in Callaway, about 3.5 hours north of the Twin Cities, just after 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Eleven fire departments worked together to save it, but the remoteness of the resort, and the need to pull water from multiple locations, presented too much of a challenge. The fire took more than 12 hours to put out.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. The three-story main lodge - which is considered the heart of the resort, and where they serve family-style meals - is completely destroyed. No one was hurt.

"Everybody in the area knows about Maplelag and what it stands for," said Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander. "Obviously the family's been here all day, and it's a tragic incident for them."

Maplelag is considered a destination cross-country ski resort and event center. It also hosts many other events year round.

The resort has been owned and run by the Richards family since the 1970s. Another fire destroyed the resort in 1999.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal was at the scene Monday as the investigation continues into what caused this fire.