A historic Eagle County lodge, more than 100 years old, burned to the ground early Saturday. No one was injured.
Three out-buildings near the rustic State Bridge Lodge, which opened in 1890, also caught fire.
The lodge, about 30 miles west of Vail on Colorado 131, sits near the confluence of the Colorado and Eagle rivers. It’s a well-known music venue, which also lures outdoor enthusiasts.
“It’s a common hot spot for people in the summer,” said Deputy Chief Chris Blankenship of the Greater Eagle Fire Protection District. “It’s a popular take-out spot for boaters. The business was open and running.”
The fire district asked boaters, fishermen and other river users to avoid the State Bridge area until the fire mop-up was completed.
In 1890, Colorado spent $6,000 to build a wagon bridge over the Grand River (now the Colorado), hence the name State Bridge.
The fire knocked out phone and electrical service. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the amount of damages was not released.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell contributed to this report.
