A long train of smoke filled the Perham skyline early in the morning on Christmas Eve, as firefighters battled an immense blaze.
The call came in at 2:41 a.m., reporting that the "lodge" complex, located behind the Cactus in Perham, was on fire.
The facility is behind the Cactus Restaurant on Highway 10, in Perham Township--just south of the city of Perham.
The fire appeared to have started in a garage and spread to the rest of the complex, though the cause was not known this morning, said Brenda Minge, who owns the property with her husband, Chuck.
Firefighters battled the structure fire and the bitter cold temperatures until nearly 8 a.m. Perham, Dent, Ottertail, Vergas and New York Mills firefighters were involved in the operation through the night. It was estimated that more than 120,000 gallons of water were poured on the fire.
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Perham firefighters barely put their gear back into their firehall lockers when they were called back to the scene at 9:05 a.m. The fire had rekindled, and pumper trucks were pouring more water on the demolished remains into the afternoon.
Controlling the fire was complicated further by temperatures that hovered around or below zero degrees. The cold wrecked havoc on the firefighter's gear, freezing up apparatus and hoses.
Ambulance crews were on standby through the early morning hours, but no injuries were reported as of noon on Dec. 24.
The lodge was the centerpiece of the 85-site "Cactus Resort and RV Park," being developed by Chuck Minge. Construction on the project began in early 2007.
The fire destroyed the lodge, which was to serve as not only the swimming pool and exercise facility for the resort and RV park--but also as owner Chuck Minge's home. In addition, four cabin suites were constructed facing the pool.
The lodge was constructed with hand-peeled log beams. The complex was in its final stages of construction when the fire occurred.
After the fire appeared to be under control in the morning hours on Dec. 24, the flames started up again, resulting in fire personnel being dispatched to the scene a second time.
Minge also owns the Cactus supper club and bowling alley, which are located just south of the lodge complex and RV park development. The Cactus restaurant was not damaged by the fire.
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The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department said the fire was reported by a passerby.
The state Fire Marshal's Office is assisting in the fire investigation.
