Wedding Blaze Destroys Historical Mary’s Lake Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado

Sunday morning firefighters returned to the scene of the fire that partially destroyed Mary’s Lake Lodge in Estes Park on Saturday, reports 9news.

Around 8:10 pm Saturday crews responded to the lodge at 2625 Marys Lake Rd to find heavy smoke coming from the west side of the building and flames coming from the roof. A Town of Estes Park spokesman said a wedding was taking place there at the time, but everyone in the lodge got out safely. A guest of that wedding posted a video on Facebook. The father of the bride told 9news they had finished speeches and got through about two dances before the fire started.

“We were dance partying,” said Amanda Jarman, the wedding photographer. “The reception was going on.”

The wedding DJ announced there was a fire. “Thankfully people did not panic,” Jarman said. “But as soon as we walked out, there was plumes of black smoke coming from what looked like the restaurant area of the lodge there. You could see a whole lot of smoke and flames coming off the top of the lodge.”

At one point more than 50 firefighters from several agencies were battling the fire. The roof collapsed over the main section of the building during the firefighting effort. It was finally considered under control around 1:30 am Sunday, but crews will continue to monitor hot spots for several days, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District said on Facebook.

Investigators returned to the scene around 7 am Sunday to try and determine the cause and origin of the fire. Twelve hours later the cause and point of origin are still under investigation.

The damage is estimated at $5 million, according to a spokesperson Estes Valley Fire.

A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Landmarks include The Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining) and The Baldpate Inn and the park was home to a number of now-defunct ski resorts. The town overlooks Lake Estes and Olympus Dam.

Mary’s Lake Lodge opened in 1913 and earned its place on the State Register of Historic Properties for its unique character.