Firefighters work to put out the flames coming out of the House of Ludington in Escanaba Friday afternoon. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
ESCANABA — The latest casualty in a plague of fires that has befallen the Delta County seat was a historic building that has been called the “crown jewel of Escanaba” – the House of Ludington, left severely damaged after a blaze broke out Friday morning.
General Manager Tyler DuBord and staff were getting ready for the 11 a.m. opening of the bar and restaurant at 223 Ludington St. when they began to smell burning wood. Unable to locate the source, DuBord called Escanaba Public Safety about 10:30 a.m. Four police cars and one fire truck arrived as a search began.
“Using our thermal imager, we began searching the main floor in an attempt to locate the origin of the smell,” a EPSD news release stated. They checked the basement, which houses the boiler, then second and third floors while two other officers circled the building outside.
It took a half hour before the source of the smoke was identified on the third floor, according to EPSD. The first evidence came in the form of smoke seeping out of the eaves of a dormer between the iconic northwest corner turret and the metal “House of Ludington” sign.
“As officers observed the smoke coming from the dormer, personnel located on the third floor discovered a storage room that was filling with smoke,” EPSD’s news release stated.
The House of Ludington also has seven apartments with nine tenants. No guests were staying in the building’s 10 hotel rooms. “We began evacuation and made sure that everyone was accounted for. We got everyone out safely,” DuBord said.
“Officers were attempting to locate the fire by removing material from the ceiling, at which time flames became visible,” the EPSD reported. “The fire then flashed over, throwing two Public Safety Officers down a flight of stairs. The two officers were uninjured and were able to exit the building.”
Within 20 minutes of the first sign of the fire, more and thicker smoke furled from other parts of the upper story. Flames were later seen in upper windows.
Assisting were the City of Escanaba Electric Department, UP Health System, Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department, DTE Energy, Escanaba Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bark River Township Fire Department, Escanaba Water Department, the Red Cross, Delta County Central Dispatch, Michigan State Police Drone Unit and the Delta County Emergency Manager. A truck from Escanaba Public Works showered the road with salt so responders didn’t slip on the quickly forming ice.
The House of Ludington was first built in 1864; since then, it’s been relocated once, and several additions built on. The current owner, Chicago businessman Gabor Zsolnay, bought the building in 2022, and it was reopened to the public in June 2023.
Watching from the north sidewalk, Escanaba City Manager Jim McNeil remarked it has been said the House of Ludington would be one of the worst places for a fire to break out, since its construction did not include fire blocks between floors that newer buildings have. Later, Escanaba Public Safety Director Darren Smith also referenced the building’s balloon construction, calling it a “nightmare” for firefighters.
The fire spread to the western side of the building, and portions of the roof caved in. It took several hours to get the fire under control.
Tearful faces could be seen on adjacent blocks as community members shared stories and memories of the beloved building as it went up in flames and was doused by hoses from numerous fire trucks. A truck from Ford River pumped water from the lake to help blast the structure.
Delta County Courthouse, across the street at 310 Ludington St., was used as a rehab station to provide firefighters with food and warmth. The temperature in Escanaba was between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit while the fire raged.
Electricity was turned back on in the area about 4:20 p.m., just before crews cleared the site.
While the House of Ludington sustained severe smoke, water and fire damage, most of the building remains standing. No neighboring buildings appeared to be affected by the fire, Smith said, although there were reports of water coming into basements of nearby residences and businesses.
The 200 block of Ludington and its south alley will remain closed indefinitely until an engineer can inspect the premises and ensure the structure is not in danger of collapse, Smith added.
House of Ludington now joins a list of Escanaba businesses that have been ravaged by fire in the past couple years. In January 2024, one life was lost in a fire that destroyed Trinkets and Treasures, Schwalbach Kitchens and East Ludington Gallery. In December 2024, the Stonehouse bar and restaurant burned down. In July, Mo’s Pub was gutted by another blaze; U.P. Towing and Recycling burned the same month. In October, Race Ramps went up in flames.
However, the causes of each of the fires has been different, and rumors of the town being host to a serial arsonist are unsubstantiated. No evidence points to any of the last several fires being intentionally set, according to officials.
The displaced tenants of the House of Ludington were advised to contact the Red Cross for assistance if they have no other place to stay. Domino’s has offered gift certificates for food, DuBord said.
A relief fund for both employees and residents has been started at First Bank, where members of the public are able to contribute. The business also started a Venmo account, @HOLfirerelief, to collect donations for both employees and residents.
