Large fire damages historic UP hotel

ESCANABA, Mich. A fire has consumed a historic hotel in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, leaving the community in shock, according to its owners. The Ludington Hotel, a landmark in Escanaba for over 160 years, was engulfed in flames on Friday morning.

Hotel representatives expressed their grief on social media: With heavy hearts, we watch The House of Ludington, cherished for more than a century and a half of Escanaba history, burn. Today is a heartbreaking loss.

Footage shared on the House of Ludington's Facebook page revealed the roof collapsing as firefighters battled the blaze.

The hotel, originally constructed in 1864 by a prominent lumber entrepreneur, was among the first in the area to offer modern conveniences in the early 1900s, including electricity, steam heating, and daily baths for a modest fee, according to local tourism records.

City officials warned nearby residents that the fire could cause brief power interruptions and may temporarily affect water quality, advising residents to run taps until the water clears.

Author: Lucas Grant