Investigation underway into cause of fire at Lake Park American Legion

Lake Park American Legion Fire (photo via Lake Park American Legion Facebook)

LAKE PARK, Minn. (KFGO) – Fire caused heavy damage to the Lake Park American Legion. The fire was reported shortly after 8 p.m Sunday by a passerby.

Police Chief Brady Burnside said there was significant heat and smoke damage, mostly to the interior of the building. Fire Chief Dave Coufal said it was one of the hotter fires his department has had to fight.

Burnside said an east wall that burned through to the outside contained a large number of photos of auxiliary members which were destroyed by the fire. He said decades of the club’s history was lost however, firefighters were able to save other memorabilia including some military items from another part of the building.

No one was in the building when the fire broke out. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.

Lake Park firefighters were assisted by fire departments from Callaway, Hitterdal, Audubon, and Hawley.