Authorities say strong winds fueled a massive fire that destroyed seven huts at Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock State Park, north of Utica, on Remembrance Day.
Utica Fire Protection District firefighters first responded to the complex at approximately 5:23 p.m. of the Utica Fire Protection District, Drew Partain. By the time firefighters arrived, about 10 minutes after the initial call, two cabins had already been set on fire. In all, seven huts were destroyed by fire.
Photographs posted on social media showed that several huts in the complex had burst into flames, with clouds of smoke coming out of the buildings. A total of 57 firefighters arrived at the scene and helped put out the blaze, according to Partain.
Firefighters advised people to avoid the area and give in to emergency vehicles, as firefighting continued in the hours following the fire.
Everyone on the property was evacuated safely, according to a Grand Bear Resort Facebook post. No injuries were reported.
“At the moment, the hostel, the water park and most of the cottages and villas on the site have not been affected,” the publication says. “We sincerely appreciate the support and concern of the community.”
As of Monday evening, the fire was contained and under review, but not under control. Fire crews were expected to remain on the scene overnight to turn off the hot spots, Partain said. The American Red Cross traveled to the scene to help those displaced by the fire.
This is the second major fire in the complex in four years.
In January 2018, a four-alarm fire broke out in the hostel of the complex and caused several bodies of firefighters to be called to the scene.