News
Construction Causes Hocking Hills Fire
By: Susan Tebben
Posted on:
Officials say work being done on the Hocking Hills Dining Lodge caused the fire that destroyed it.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal is still investigating the fire that occurred Dec. 8 at the restaurant on State Route 664 in Logan, but spokesperson Lindsey LeBerthe said they believe the fire was a result of construction work being done on the building.
The fire was reported at about 8:30 a.m. that morning by employees who were working in the restaurant before it opened, according to previous reporting by WOUB News. No damage estimate is available, and a point of origin has not yet been made available by the fire marshal.
Dozens of fire departments were called to the fire at the building, which was eventually declared a total loss by the fire marshal and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who owns the building.
The fire marshal’s office has said since the beginning of the investigation that it is not believed the fire was set intentionally.
A GoFundMe account has been opened on behalf of the employees of the dining lodge, in an attempt to raise money for them while they are out of work. The Lake Hope Lodge also opened their doors to the employees.
“In an effort to keep our Hocking Hills employees working after the loss of the lodge, we have decided to extend our hours here at Lake Hope this Winter,” a statement on the Lake Hope Lodge Facebook page reads.
The Friends of Hocking Hills State Park is also collecting donations for the employees.
Donations to the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park can be sent to P.O. Box 101, Logan, Ohio 43138. Checks can be made payable to FHHSP and “HH Dining Lodge Employee Relief Fund” can be written on the memo line.