Soldier Mountain lodge destroyed by fire

State fire marshal to investigate cause of early-morning blaze

By :EXPRESS STAFF

 

 In this image, taken by Edward Reagan of the Camas Courier, rubble is all that remains of the Soldier Mountain Lodge.

 

The main lodge at Soldier Mountain ski area near Fairfield was completely destroyed in a fire early this morning.

Larry Davenport, manager of the ski area, said he first received a report of the fire at approximately 7:30 a.m. By 11:15 a.m., the lodge and a nearby building used as a ski-rental shop had completely burned to the ground, Davenport said.

Firefighters and the Camas County Sheriff's Office responded to the blaze and were at the scene this morning.

The ski area closed for the season Saturday, March 28. No injuries have yet been reported.

The rustic lodge was at the base of Soldier Mountain, north of Fairfield. Long-term plans for the ski resort called for replacing the structure.

The ski resort is owned by Valley Entertainment Group, owned by actor Bruce Willis, a part-time Wood River Valley resident. The group earlier this year unveiled plans to vastly expand facilities at the resort.

Shelly Scott, the Hailey-based office manager for Valley Entertainment, said initial reports indicate the fire started on the north end of the lodge, where a fireplace was located. However, it has not been determined that the fireplace was the source of the blaze, she said.

Some employees were at the ski area Sunday to close down the facilities, Scott said. A state fire marshal is expected to investigate the scene Tuesday, she said.

As for what the fire means to the future of the ski area, Scott said it is too early to say. She confirmed plans to replace the lodge but "not this quick."

The Express will update this report as more information becomes available.