Contrary to rumors on social media, Lakedale Resort did not burn down.

Yes, Lakedale Resort did have a small fire in a wood shed outbuilding, but it was successfully contained before doing any significant damage to the natural settings and operations of the resort.

Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Lakedale Resort General Manager Karl Bruno got a call from a guest reporting a fire on the premises. Moments before, that same guest called 911.

By 7:15 p.m. both Bruno and Operations Director Richard Pitchford were on the scene to assess the situation, joining the San Juan Island Fire Department who arrived mere minutes prior.

Firefighters successfully suppressed flames coming from a small woodshed outbuilding in an isolated location on the resort grounds, containing the damage to the woodshed and a few singed trees nearby.

“We have the most awesome fire department on the entire planet,” said Bruno.

Bruno reports firefighters were on scene within minutes of the first call, and successfully contained the fire to the woodshed while protecting a storage facility nearby. “Within two hours the fire was completely out,” added Bruno, “and thanks to the quick response of the fire department we only lost the woodshed and a septic processor nearby, which melted due to the heat of the flames.”

According to San Juan Fire Chief Norvin Collins, “It appears that the fire pit was where the origin was, and it extended out to the woodshed. When we arrived there was enough fire involvement initially that firefighters called for assistance, but we had plenty of resources with two engines, two tenders, and command staff. It was a good response, especially due to the early notification,” added Chief Collins.

Bruno said the woodshed contained approximately 1,500 bundles of wood which they have on-site for guests and was a total loss. He also added that the septic processor that melted nearby will be replaced sometime next week. Bruno added that it won’t affect the resort’s daily operations.

While there was no official report at press time, Bruno said there is a small employee fire pit near the woodshed, but added that Pitchford had checked the fire pit just hours before and believed the pit had been thoroughly doused with water.

“We were very fortunate,” said Bruno. “The fire was isolated to one area thanks to the efforts of the fire department. It could have been so much worse.” Bruno reports the damages have been cleaned up and daily operations at the resort are underway without missing a beat.