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State fire officials say Lutsen Lodge had 3 unresolved violations
Four code violations flagged in the fire marshal’s latest inspection were repaired. It’s unclear if the remaining three violations played any role in Tuesday’s fire.
LUTSEN, Minn. — State fire officials say there were three unresolved code violations at the Lutsen Resort Lodge when it was lost Tuesday to a devastating fire, however, they say it’s unclear if those outstanding violations played a role.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal released its report from July 6, 2023, detailing seven total violations, including issues with the sprinkler system, fire alarm system, fire exit signs and smoke alarms. Four of the seven violations had been repaired by the owners, according to state fire officials, but three were still outstanding when the report was pulled in the hours after the fire.
The three outstanding violations involved an inspection and test of the sprinkler system, an inspection and test of the fire alarm system and a replacement emergency light near one of the rooms. In the release, fire officials said it’s too early to know whether any of the three code violations were partly to blame.
“This fire had a significant impact to the local economy and community,” said State Fire Marshal Daniel Krier in a release on Wednesday. “We are leading the investigation into the fire’s cause and appreciate the partnership of the Lutsen Fire Department.”
Fire crews responded to the fire early Tuesday morning after receiving reports of smoke coming from the lodge at around 12:30 a.m. Fire crews from Lutsen, Tofte, Grand Marais and a number of other local departments rushed to the scene and found the lodge building engulfed by flames.
All staff members made it out, and the sheriff’s department reported there were no guests on site. As of Wednesday afternoon, firefighters were still suppressing hotspots at the lodge using sprinklers.
“No two fires are alike, which means each investigation is also unique,” said Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson in a release on Wednesday. “Our investigators are highly trained to determine the origins and causes of fires across Minnesota.”
According to state statute, all hotels, motels and buildings used for lodging are inspected for fire safety at least once every three years.
“We understand the public wants answers,” said State Fire Marshal Chief Investigator Jim Iammatteo. “However, it would be irresponsible to offer any insights until the conclusion of this investigation.”
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ST PAUL, Minn. — A jump in the mercury Wednesday is mixing with gusty winds and low relative humidity to trigger a Red Flag Warning in parts of Minnesota.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning for 18 counties in southwest, west-central and south-central Minnesota beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. Counties affected include Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Traverse, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine.
A Red Flag Warning means conditions are right for wildfires to start and rapidly spread under predicted weather conditions. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tells residents in the impacted areas not to burn and encourages them to check recent burns to make sure those fires are completely out and don’t rekindle.
“Embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this,” explained DNR wildfire prevention specialist Karen Harrison.
“People should use extreme caution until conditions improve.”
The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burns during Red Flag Warnings, and campfires are strongly discouraged.
The event takes place during October with a passport offering discounts at 15 vintage stores and shops across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Are you into vintage things? If so, October is your month!
The Vintage Fall Crawl is an event that runs from Oct. 1 to 31, celebrating and uplifting vintage stores and shops across the Twin Cities. This is the third year patrons can buy a Vintage Fall Crawl Passport, which offers a one-time 10% discount at 15 different shops owned by women.
Passports are $10, and all proceeds from their sales will be donated to the YWCA St. Paul + Minneapolis, a non-profit working to eliminate racism and empower women.
Rebecca Sansone, owner of The Mustache Cat in Minneapolis, dropped by KARE 11 News at Noon to talk about the crawl and the importance of knowing that your shopping dollars are doing good in the community.
Here are the 15 businesses participating in the Vintage Fall Crawl.
- The Mustache Cat
- Moth Oddities
- Style Society
- Tandem Vintage
- Carousel and Folk
- Up Six Vintage
- The Golden Pearl Vintage
- Audrey Rose Vintage
- Betty’s Antiques
- Olio Vintage
- Encore Boutique
- Succotash Retro
- Love Token
- Turquoise Vintage
- Queenie + Pearl
For more information on the event, check out the Vintage Fall Crawl website or Instagram account.
Mason Hermann of Woodbury says he was peacefully protesting outside the MPD 3rd precinct on May 27, 2020 when an officer shot him in the head with a projectile.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Twin Cities man has filed a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and its police department, alleging an MPD officer shot him in the head with a non-lethal projectile during a peaceful protest following George Floyd’s murder.
Court documents lay out the allegations by Mason Hermann, who claims he suffered life-changing injuries during the protest outside the MPD’s 3rd precinct on May 27, 2020.
The lawsuit – filed Sept. 29 in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis – says Hermann was part of a group calmly protesting the deaths of Floyd and other Black citizens on that day when an MPD officer perched on the roof of the precinct purposely targeted him without warning, firing a non-lethal 40mm projectile directly into the left side of his head.
Hermann said he was not in a restricted area, had not displayed aggression, was unarmed, and was given no commands by police before the shot was fired. The lawsuit said as he traveled home from the protest that evening he noticed “a progressive decline in his neurological functioning.”
He was eventually transported to a hospital in River Falls, Wis., and then transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul where Hermann was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
The lawsuit claims that since that day, Hermann has experienced a decline in his mental health, struggling with short-term memory loss, headaches and fatigue. The plaintiff says his injuries have impacted his daily functioning and interpersonal relationships.
To support their case, Hermann’s legal team documents multiple lawsuits Minneapolis has settled with others who alleged police misconduct and violation of their First Amendment rights, also noting that a probe by the Department of Justice found that MPD has engaged in a persistent pattern of conduct that deprives residents of their constitutional rights.
Mason Hermann is seeking a jury trial and asking for financial compensation to be determined by jurors that includes special and compensatory damages, attorneys fees and injunctive relief forcing the city of Minneapolis and MPD to stop engaging in unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful policies, practices and customs.
