WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (AP) — A blaze that started Thursday in a kitchen area at a north-central Oregon resort has caused extensive fire and water damage and forced Kah-Nee-Ta Resort & Spa to temporarily close its main lodge, the resort and a fire official said.
More than 350 people were evacuated from the resort on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and moved to other hotels, Warm Springs Fire Chief Dan Martinez told KTVZ-TV.
The guests were never in danger but firefighters had to turn off the power grid because water got into that, Martinez said.
The only reported injury was a cook who suffered second-degree arm burns after he grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to put out a grease fire that may have started the blaze. Martinez said the cause is under investigation.
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The fire also spread to the attic venting system, which caused beams to catch on fire, the fire chief said.
At least 25 firefighters responded.
After hours spent climbing stairs and working on the lodge roof in temperatures hitting 103 degrees, “We’ve got a lot of tired firefighters,” the chief said.
The resort announced Thursday night that the main lodge would be closed for four days. Martinez said it might take longer to clean up and restore services.
On its Facebook page, the resort said other areas remain open, including its Village rooms, teepees, an RV park, village pool, golf course and spa.
KTVZ reported an initial damage estimate was $150,000 to $175,000.
“We had to cut through the roof,” Martinez said. “The water damage is just extensive, mainly to the kitchen, the upstairs, the main lobby section, conference rooms with standing water — lots of water damage.”
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