A lakeside restaurant and an abandoned farmhouse were destroyed in separate fires this week.
At approximately 12:42 a.m. Wednesday, the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office received a report that the Potato Lake Lodge and Cowboys and Chrome, on the west side of Potato Lake, was on fire.
Park Rapids Fire Chief Donn Hoffman said the restaurant closed at 11 p.m. and the building was not occupied at the time of the fire.
Hoffman said the fire appears to have started in the kitchen near an exhaust hood and does not appear to be suspicious.
The fire marshal was there, but it may be 30 days before a final determination is made, Hoffman said.
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Firefighters were at the scene until 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to Hoffman.
Assisting were personnel from the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office and Park Rapids Police Department. The Carsonville and Nevis fire departments were called to provide mutual aid.
Hoffman also reported a vacant home at the Holweig farm south of Park Rapids burned early Tuesday morning. The call was reported to the Sheriff's Office at 1:30 a.m.
Hoffman said the structure was engulfed in fire when the department arrived and there was not enough evidence to pursue an investigation.
