Resort fire contained

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

For the third time in seven years, fire has damaged a resort in Poudre Canyon.

Cause of the May 19 fire at the unoccupied Mountain Greenery Resort is under investigation by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

"The fire is suspicious in nature," said Sgt. Ian Stewart, who works in the property crimes division.

Stewart could not give a time frame for completing the investigation. Vic and Sharon McLauchlan own the property.

According to Poudre Canyon's Station 1 Fire Chief Tony Falbo, a neighbor of the resort noticed thick smoke and flames emitting from the main building and called 911 at 7:43 p.m. Arriving within 10 minutes, the first volunteer firefighters found flames coming from both the south side and north side of the building, Falbo said, and they were able to knock down fire at both locations from the exterior.

"Stop loss was obtained within 15 minutes of the first arriving unit," he reported.

Additional equipment, volunteer firefighters and two sheriff's deputies continued to arrive, for a total of 20 people, Falbo said. The fire was declared under control at 8:45 p.m.

Falbo said the fire was contained to two portions of the building on the west end of the structure. Other than potential smoke damage, the east end of the building was unaffected. "Due to swift response and quick actions by the Poudre Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, the structure was saved," he said.

On June 1, 2008, the historic Rustic Resort burned to the ground in Upper Poudre Canyon.

On April 13, 2003, Glen Echo Resort store and restaurant were destroyed by fire. Owners rebuilt and reopened the facilities in May 2005.