Boyne Highlands Lodge Fire
Almost half of Boyne Highlands lodge damaged by fire, resort closed indefinitely.
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on December 11, 2016 at 2:06 PM, updated December 11, 2016 at 2:18 PM
HARBOR SPRINGS, MI — Firefighters are still working into the afternoon to extinguish a fire that damaged 40 percent of the main lodge at Boyne Highlands Resort.
Boyne Highlands confirmed 12 people were injured in a large fire at the resort’s main lodge hotel Sunday morning. The resort stated patient privacy concerns and laws as a reason for being unable provide information related to identities or specific medical conditions.
12 injured at Boyne Highlands hotel fire, 1 transported for treatment
One person was transported to a hospital outside of the area.
The statement said one person was transported to a hospital outside of the area for additional treatment but did not name the individual. Brandi Mikowski said the man is Traverse City resident David Chauvette, a friend of hers who became trapped as the fire burned.
Mikowski said the 23-year-old man was transported to Grand Rapids to be treated for smoke inhalation. Chauvette was unable to breathe on his own this morning, she said.
There were 64 rooms occupied on Saturday night in the main lodge, Boyne Highlands stated in a release, with an approximate total of 113 overnight guests. An estimated 40 percent of the building sustained fire damage, and much of the rest of the lodge was impacted by fire, smoke and water.
“Our primary concern right now is for those impacted by the fire, and for their health and wellbeing,” Mike Chumbler, president and general manager of Boyne Highlands Resort, said in the release. “We’re extremely grateful to the fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies who are managing the situation.”
Hotel guests injured in Boyne Highlands structure fire
Some jumped from the hotel building to escape the flames.
The fire began around 1:36 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Firefighters were still on scene working to extinguish hot spots in the structure after 1 p.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Harbor Springs Fire Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Several people suffered injuries from smoke inhalation, according to an emergency alert from the Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet Tri-County Office of Emergency Management.
Others were reported to have jumped from the hotel building to escape the flames, and one person was trapped.
The building’s fire detection system alerted first responders from the Harbor Springs Area Fire Department and 911 dispatched additional firefighters as well as emergency medical and law enforcement officials.
The ski slopes will remain closed Sunday and a re-opening date has not been determined.
Central services like lodging check-in are being moved to another location on the property.
The popular northern Michigan resort is a destination for family skiing, ziplining, sleigh rides and other outdoor activities. It recently opened for the winter ski season.