Lutsen Lodge owner facing arson, insurance fraud charges for resort fire

LUTSEN — The owner of the historic Lutsen Lodge on the North Shore that burned down in February 2024 is facing multiple felonies for arson and insurance fraud.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the state fire marshal’s office announced the charges against 41-year-old Bryce James Campbell during a Thursday, Dec. 4, news conference.

“This was a crime of selfishness," said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans. "Bryce Campbell put his interests above the livelihood of his employees, the safety of the people that were in the building at the time, and the community that were there, and all of the Minnesotans that loved Lutsen Lodge for generations across our state."

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Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Authorities announced Campbell, who is a Canadian citizen, was apprehended near Detroit on Wednesday.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Cook County District Court, law enforcement and insurance investigations determined Campbell was at the resort around the time of the fire, which originated within the basement near the boiler room. He then left the scene for hours and is seen on a squad camera passing a Cook County sheriff’s deputy heading north, while the deputy headed south to respond to the fire.

It’s been nearly 22 months since the fire. State Fire Marshal Dan Cryer said the investigation scene was incredibly complex.

“We have a three-story building burnt to the ground, all the evidence is in the basement,” Cryer said. “We have to sift through what’s burned, what’s not burned, what’s damaged, be able [to] try to identify the fire patterns and the evidence that we use as investigators.”

The exact circumstances of how the fire started remain unknown, but the fire marshal’s office reported it could not rule out an intentionally set fire.

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Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension live feed screenshot

Local News

State reports violations in 2023 fire safety inspection at Lutsen Lodge

Among outstanding violations was the lack of inspection reports for the lodge’s sprinkler and fire alarm systems, but the fire marshal says its too early to determine if these played a role.

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While excavating the destroyed building, investigators found a wrench wedged beneath the basement door that prevented it from opening. They also found a blue crystalline substance on a water heater and gas valve in the basement’s boiler room that appeared to be a fire gel, like those used to heat catering trays.

Financial records showed Campbell’s companies near-due and past-due business debts amounted to more than $14 million at the time of the fire.

Cellphone and social media messaging records also showed the resort’s general manager repeatedly inquiring about bank account balances and expressing concerns about being able to pay employees in the days leading up to the fire.

Campbell allegedly used the phrase “burn it” in several of his text conversations about the lodge. His internet search records included research on fire gels as well as the flammability of glycol used in heating systems.

Cook County Attorney Jeanne Peterson said the court process is just beginning.

“I want to thank the public for its patience,” Peterson said. “The nearly 140-year-old Lundy Building was an iconic site where many couples got married and many families returned year after year. The loss of the resort is deeply felt by many.”

Campbell is awaiting transport and a court hearing has not yet been scheduled.

When the fire happened Feb. 6, 2024, staff reported smoke coming from the lobby floor to Cook County 911 dispatchers. There were no guests on site and no injuries were reported, but the building was a total loss.

Lutsen was originally founded by a Swedish immigrant in 1885. Its main lodge previously burned down in 1948 and 1951 and was rebuilt on the original foundation both times.