Fire Marshal: Cause Undetermined In Fire That Destroyed Horse Club

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities said the cause of a fire that destroyed a bar at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake last December is undetermined.

The State Fire Marshal's Office said Thursday in its investigation that by the time crews arrived on Dec. 31, 2013, the fire had progressed too far to completely determine a cause. Authorities said a large amount of the structure collapsed, making it difficult to determine where the fire started and what caused it.

Fire crews were called to the scene on the 2900 block of East 220th Street at about 6:08 a.m. on New Year's Eve. When they arrived, they could see smoke coming from the restaurant portion of the building, known as Trigger's Bar. Prior Lake Fire Chief Doug Hartman said the building was "fully involved in fire" by the time firefighters arrived at the scene. Five fire departments had to be called in to help.

The club had a New Year's Eve celebration planned for nearly 100 people that had to be canceled. Nobody was inside the structure at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.