If you have ventured up the North Shore to Grand Marais, you have likely stopped at the famous Sven and Ole’s Pizza. That restaurant was damaged and a couple neighboring businesses and restaurants were destroyed by fire this afternoon (Monday).

According to Boreal Community Media, the blaze broke out on the north side of Wisconsin Street early in the afternoon, Monday, April 13th. Fire crew from multiple departments fought the fire that burned on that block that’s home to popular area businesses such as Sven and Ole’s Pizza, Crooked Spoon, Picnic and Pine and others.  The news source reports that the fire started at the Crooked Spoon and that three businesses on the block were a total loss.  

Late Monday afternoon, Sheriff Pat Eliasen issued the following incident report and statement:

“Fire Downtown Grand Marais Destroys Three Businesses, No Injuries Sustained

April 13, 2020 – At 1:19 pm today, Cook County’s 911 Dispatch received a report of a fire in the back of the Crooked Spoon Café located on Wisconsin Street in downtown Grand Marais. 

Volunteer Firefighters from the City of Grand Marais, Maple Hill Fire Department, Lutsen Fire Department and Colvill Fire, were needed to battle the blaze which spread to neighboring businesses Picnic & Pine and White Pine North on Wisconsin St, fully engulfing the buildings.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office along with First Responders from Grand Marais, North Shore Health Ambulance, Cook County Search & Rescue with the Mobile Command & Rehab Trailer, Minnesota State Patrol and available Border Patrol units were also dispatched to the scene and assisted with perimeter and scene safety.

With high wind gusts the fire was difficult to contain. Grand Marias Public Utilities Commission was dispatched to cut power to the area and the City also deployed a backhoe to assist firefighters to be able to knock the fire down. The Cook County Emergency Chaplains were also dispatched the Command & Rehab staging area and are supporting emergency units and business owners on scene. The Minnesota Fire Marshal was dispatched and is in route to investigate the cause of the fire. 

Firefighters now have the fire under control and will remain on scene until the fire is completely out and they can enter mop-up mode.

“I commend the swift actions of our fire departments, the City PUC and all emergency personnel involved to contain this major fire under very difficult conditions and circumstances,” said Sheriff Pat Eliasen. “This is a devastating loss for our community and certainly the business owners. Thankfully nobody was injured during the fire.”

No further information is available at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and updates will be issued as they are available.”