Massive Resort Fire Destroys 7 Cabins Near Starved Rock State Park

UTICA, IL — A massive fire at an Illinois resort displaced families and destroyed several cabins Monday, according to reports.

The Utica Fire Protection District reported just after 7 p.m. that every agency in its mutual aid division and some from neighboring divisions were fighting an extra-alarm fire at the cabins at Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock State Park. Images shared on social media showed huge plumes of smoke and bright orange flames emanating from several buildings.

As of about 8 p.m., the area was evacuated and the fire was being contained, Grand Bear said in a Facebook post. No one was injured, the resort reported Tuesday.

Seven cabins containing over two dozen units caught fire, and roughly 200 firefighters battled the blaze into the early morning hours Tuesday, hauling in millions of gallons of water, according to NBC 5, which reported the fire started in Cabin 18-3. Seven vehicles parked outside the cabins were also burned, NBC 5 reported, adding the fire was not thought to be suspicious.

Grand Bear's main lodge, waterpark and most of its cabins and villas were not affected, although the waterpark was closed Tuesday, the resort said in a Facebook post. The Red Cross of Illinois Valley was assisting families who had been displaced.