Firefighters battle a blaze at Escanaba's historic House of Ludington Hotel Friday. Despite the efforts of several agencies, the fire inflicted significant damage on the venerable structure. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA — The latest casualty in a plague of fires that has befallen the seat of Delta County recently was a historic building that has been called the “crown jewel of Escanaba” – the House of Ludington. Residents of the apartments were displaced.

The House of Ludington, located at 223 Ludington St. – on the eastern end of the town’s main street – features a bar, restaurant and lodging quarters. It was first built in 1864; since, it’s been relocated once, and several additions have been built on. The current owner, Chicago businessman Gabor Zsolnay, bought the place in 2022, and it was reopened to the public in June of 2023.

On Friday morning, General Manager Tyler DuBord and staff were on premises when they began to smell burning wood. They were preparing to open the restaurant, which was scheduled to open for the day at 11 a.m.

When staff was unable to locate the source of the odor, DuBord placed a call to ask for assistance from Escanaba Department of Public Safety. The first officers were dispatched around 10:30 a.m. Four police cars and one fire truck arrived as a search began.

It took a half hour before the source of the smoke was identified on the third floor. DuBord said he believes it was a storage room on the third floor where smoke and flames were found. Once a fire was confirmed, additional firefighters and other personnel scrambled to respond and the building was evacuated. At this point, it was around 11:00 a.m.

“We began evacuation and made sure that everyone was accounted for. We got everyone out safely,” DuBord said.

Seven apartments in the House of Ludington were being rented as living quarters for nine individuals. There were no guests of the 10 hotel rooms that the building also contained.

The first evidence of fire visible from the building’s exterior came in the form of smoke seeping out of the eaves of a dormer between the iconic northwest corner turret and the metal “House of Ludington” sign shortly after 11 a.m. Within 10 minutes, more and thicker smoke furled from other parts of the upper story. Flames were later seen in upper windows.

Escanaba Public Safety was soon joined on scene by the city of Escanaba Electric Department, UP Health System, Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department, DTE Energy, Escanaba Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bark River Township Fire Department and more.

No neighboring buildings appeared to take damage from the fire, although there were reports of water coming into basements of neighboring residences and businesses, said public safety Director Darren Smith.

Watching from the sidewalk, Escanaba City Manager Jim McNeil remarked that it has been said that the House of Ludington would be one of the worst places for a fire to break out, since its construction did not include fire breaks that newer buildings have.

Tearful faces could be seen on adjacent blocks as community members shared stories and memories of the beloved building as it went up in flames and was doused by hoses from numerous fire trucks. A truck from Ford River pumped water from the lake to help blast the burning structure.

The Delta County Courthouse, across the street from the scene at 310 Ludington St., was used as a rehab station to provide firefighters with food and warmth. The temperature in Escanaba was between about 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit while the fire raged.

The 200 block of Ludington and its south alley will remain closed indefinitely until an engineer can inspect the premises and ensure that the structure is not in danger of collapse. People are requested to avoid the area as it may be unsafe.

The Red Cross will help displaced residents. A relief fund for both tenants and employees has been started at First Bank.