The owner of a storied Minnesota resort has been arrested and charged with arson and insurance fraud in last year’s devastating blaze that destroyed Lutsen Lodge.
Bryce James Campbell, 41, a Canadian citizen residing in Two Harbors, Minn., was arrested in Michigan on Wednesday and has since been charged with three counts of first-degree arson and one count of insurance fraud in connection to the Feb. 6, 2024 fire, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
In a press briefing held Thursday, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans described Campbell’s actions as a “crime of selfishness.” Campbell put his own interests ahead of the livelihoods of his employees, the safety of the people in the building at the time, and the community, “while at [the] same time destroying a treasured Minnesota landmark,” all for an insurance fraud scheme, he said.
A corresponding press release from the BCA was brief on details due to the open investigation but said, in part:
“BCA financial crimes and fraud agents determined through their investigation that Campbell knowingly caused the fire to fraudulently collect an insurance payout.
The State Fire Marshal recently completed the investigation on the origins of the fire, determining that it began in the southwest basement area above the boiler room and beneath the lobby, but that the method by which the fire started is undetermined.”
A report by the State Fire Marshal issued on Nov. 25, 2025, concluded: “Several ignition scenarios have been identified which cannot be definitively eliminated, to include an intentionally set fire. As a result, this case is being classified as an undetermined fire.”
The criminal complaint describes that employees called 911 just before 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2024, to report smoke coming up from the lobby floorboards while the fire alarms were going off.
As the fire raged, several attempts were made by employees and Campbell’s husband to reach him by phone and texts in the early morning hours, but he could not be reached.
The State Fire Marshal investigator later asked Campbell about his whereabouts on the night of the fire during an interview on Feb. 7, 2024. Campbell stated he went home, bought a pizza, and went to bed.
Campbell eventually admitted to investigators that he had stopped at the resort to pick up items on the night of the fire, while on the way to a destination in Grand Marais, Minn. Campbell said he had entered the employee entrance, which was located close to the basement door and leads to an area containing the boilers and water heaters.
Facebook records later revealed that on Feb. 12, 2024, Campbell’s husband messaged Campbell and said, “What are you going to tell them about where you were?” Campbell responded, “Well I definitely can’t tell them. Especially after everything, can you image if our extra caricular [sic] activities got in the news???” Later in the conversation thread, Campbell’s husband messaged Campbell and said, “My concern is that they track your location through your phone and see you driving by Lutsen at around when the fire started around 12:30.” Campbell replied, “Your [sic] stressing me out now.”
The complaint outlined that several businesses under the ownership of Campbell at the time of the fire had debts amounting to over $14 million, including hundreds of thousands of dollars Lutsen Resort owed to creditors. Other bank emails and records showed the resort could not keep up with the debt load and struggled to get financing. Other records showed that Campbell had raised the insurance policy amount on the resort two times since 2022 from $8.4 million to $11 million, and then to $13 million in May 2023.
On Jan. 31, 2024, prior to the fire, Campbell replied, “Just burn it” in reference to messages from his husband about the $466,080.37 they owed the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Campbell’s husband replied, “I think we’re still on the hook if it burns babe.” The husband followed up saying, “At that point we just take the insurance payout and use it cover CRA.” Campbell responded, “Works for me.”
In the following days, Campbell replied “burn it” in further messages between him and his husband regarding failing finances and operations at the resort.
Superintendent Evans indicated during the press briefing that more facts and evidence would likely be revealed, as necessary, at trial.
“Our investigators have worked tirelessly from the start of this case to follow the evidence and bring the public answers,” said State Fire Marshal Dan Krier. “Fire investigation is a complex science and takes time to gather all the facts needed to reach a conclusion. Even in cases like these where no one is injured, arson is not a victimless crime. This community and anyone with connections to this historic resort can attest to that. I’m hopeful these charges will bring those impacted some closure and sense of justice.”
Campbell remains in the Oakland County, Mich., Jail pending extradition to Minnesota.
The BCA and State Fire Marshal led the investigation with significant assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Cook County Attorney’s Office. The Southfield and West Bloomfield, Mich., police departments assisted the BCA with Wednesday’s arrest. The Lutsen Fire Department provided significant assistance at the fire scene.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
