CHESUNCOOK (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A historic building was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning. Maine Forest Rangers and firefighters from Greenville Fire were called to a reported structure fire at the historic Chesuncook Lake House in Chesuncook Township, said Jeff Currier with the Maine Forest Service.
At this time of year, Rangers and firefighters were only able to reach the location by snowmobile. It is about 50 miles north of Greenville and 60 miles west of Millinocket.
“Everyone is saddened by this tragedy, as the Chesuncook Lake House is such a special place to all who visited, with more than 150 years of history to it,” a spokesperson on behalf of the family wrote in a press release. “Everyone is very grateful for the quick response in difficult conditions by the first responders, but very sad to lose a place so rich with history.”
The Chesuncook Lake House Facebook page stated, “We have suffered a tragedy overnight and the lake house had been claimed by fire. All of the family and employees escaped without harm. Please refrain from riding up while we deal with this loss. The trail is the only way in and out for our equipment and family and we don’t want any other accidents on the trail.”
The Lake House website states the building was a small wilderness lodge, built as a farmhouse/boarding house in 1864 to supply logging operations in Northern Maine’s Wilderness and is on the Federal Historical Register.
Currier said there is no word yet on a cause.
