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The lodge at the Four Springs Retreat, located at 14598 Sheveland, outside of Middletown, was reported to be on fire shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, according to South Lake County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Upton.
Upton said the fire in the 3,000-square-foot building, which included seven bedrooms, dining facilities and a conference room, was spotted by an individual on Highway 175 in Middletown.
“They reported seeing smoke and flames,” Upton said.
As Upton was driving up Highway 29 toward the resort, he said he could tell it was a heavily involved structure.
When firefighters arrived, “It had fire coming out of every window and every door,” Upton said.
He said eight fire units – including engines, water tenders, utility vehicles and a medic unit – responded to the secluded resort.
It took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain the fire, Upton said. “There was nothing we could do but protect the surrounding structures, which we did.”
He said the fire's heat scorched the paint and melted plastic gutters on some of the resort's nearby cabins.
There were a minimal threat of the fire getting into nearby wildland, but there were some power lines involved, Upton said. The resort's swimming pool was used as an additional water resource.
Some firefighters were left to help guard the site overnight and keep it secure, according to Upton.
He said there were no injuries, as no one was on the scene.
The lodge was a total loss, said Upton. It had been remodeled in 2005 and was valued at $800,000. He said it was reportedly filled with antiques, instruments and art.
“It was a real loss,” he said, noting the owners “were very upset about it.”
Upton said the fire's cause doesn't appear to be arson.
He said it's under investigation, with investigators narrowing in on a final cause.
The retreat's Web site, www.foursprings.org, explains that it has operated as a retreat since 1956, and in addition to the main lodge has numerous small cabins, meditation and seminar rooms, an arbor and trails.
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