The Thanksgiving holiday turned tragic for a Grand Marais family when their home was destroyed by fire. Firefighters and emergency responders were paged at 7:36 p.m. on November 26 to the home of Heather Spry. No one was injured, but the family’s dog perished in the fire.
As most community members were settling in for a relaxing evening after Thanksgiving dinner, a page was sounded—at 7:26 p.m. emergency responders were called out for a structure on fire at Gofer Cabins in Grand Marais.
When the Grand Marais Fire Department arrived on scene at 7:47 p.m., they found the cabin, home to Heather Spry and her 6-year-old son, Gage, fully engulfed in flame. Spry and her son were not home, but their dog, Mackey, a 5-year-old English bulldog was inside. The dog perished in the fire.
The Maple Hill Fire Department, Grand Marais First Responders, Cook County Ambulance, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service fire crews were also paged for assistance.
Sheriff Deputies and Minnesota State Troopers evacuated nearby cabins and set up a perimeter to keep people away as there was concern about a possible explosion because of fuel line connections between cabins. A Grand Marais Public Utility crew was called to cut the power to the cabin area.
By 8:18 p.m., the fire had been knocked down and firefighters were dousing hot spots. At 9:36 p.m. the fire was declared out and Maple Hill firefighters were released. Everyone was clear from the scene at 10:17 p.m.
Grand Marais Fire Chief Ben Silence said there were about 25 responders at the fire scene. One firefighter was slightly shaken when he received an electrical shock, probably from a phone line or appliance. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. Another responder slipped on the sidewalk iced by water from the fire hoses, but did not suffer injury.
Silence expressed appreciation to the Maple Hill Fire Department for providing mutual aid. “Everyone did a great job,” he said.
The day after the fire, Silence contacted the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Arson Investigator Richard Sellman visited the scene. Chief Silence said it is believed the fire was accidental.
After Sellman investigated, he, Fire Chief Silence and Grand Marais Firefighter Mike Flack searched for Spry’s missing dog. They were able to find and retrieve his remains, something that Spry said she will forever be grateful for. Her family was able to have a burial for their pet.
Reached by phone on November 30, Spry said it helped to be able to say goodbye. “Everyone loved Mackey,” she said.
Spry said she is doing as well as can be expected. “It has been pretty traumatic,” she said, “but at least my son is safe. That is what really matters.”
The response from the community has been overwhelming, Spry said. She said she is incredibly grateful for all of the offers of help, for clothing donations, especially for Gage, and for donations such as toiletries and warm winter boots.
“It’s no wonder we’re considered ‘America’s Coolest Small Town.’ I am just so thankful to everyone who is helping me maintain things for my son,” said Spry.
The most pressing issue at press time was finding a place to live. Red Cross helps people who have lost their home to fire with a few nights at a hotel. But Spry said she hoped to find a place to live soon so things get back to as normal as possible for Gage.
A website has been set up for anyone wishing to make a donation to help Spry get back into a home again. If you would like to donate online, visit: www.gofundme.com/ heathergage. An account has also been set up at the North Shore Federal Credit Union to accept donations.
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