Fire at Killarney Mountain Lodge 'suspicious', say OPP

Ontario Provincial Police say the fire that destroyed a new wing at the Killarney Mountain Lodge is "suspicious," but haven't released any other details from their investigation.

Killarney Fire Chief Gary Chappel says crews were called around 3:00 o'clockThursdaymorning toKillarney Mountain Lodge after staff sleeping in an adjacent building noticed flames.

Although the crew responded within minutes, arecent additionto the lodge -including 16 newly constructedguestrooms-wasdestroyed in the fire.

According to owner HoldenRhodes, he and staff members assisted the crew, holding on to fire hoses to prevent the flames from spreading to the main building.

Thanks to the fire department's response time, and lodge staff efforts, the main structure of thelodge remainsstanding.

Rhodes plans to openthe lodge on schedule, and is even welcoming guests as crews work on clearing the debris. The grand opening is still scheduled to go ahead, and Rhodes says they plan to continue "operations as normal."

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and the Ontario Provincial Policeare still investigating to determine what caused the fire.