Photo courtesy of Ontonagon VFD) Carp Lake Township and Ontonagon Fire Departments assist with putting out a blaze in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park at the Whitetail Cabin on Friday evening. 

CARP LAKE TWP — A fire engulfed the popular Whitetail Cabin at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on Friday. There were no injuries but the property sustained total loss, a park official said.

Local volunteer fire departments arrived on the scene Friday evening, shortly after the fire was discovered. Park Manager Michael Knack, said the Whitetail Cabin was incredibly popular and was originally built by park staff.

“This cabin has been open since 1991 to year-round rentals, rented almost every single night of the year,” he said. “Just a great location, an easy one mile walk right on [the] Superior Shoreline.”

According to Knack, the fire was believed to start Friday morning when an occupant mistakenly brought previously used burnt wood into the cabin, thinking it was cold. The wood was placed onto the cabin’s indoor wood pile and subsequently ignited the rest of the wood fuel.

Knack said there will be some impact to lodging at the park due to the loss of Whitetail, but is optimistic park-goers will embrace other options the park has to offer — including over 25 rental cabins and five campgrounds. An email was sent out to incoming reservation holders by park staff, explaining the destruction of the cabin and issuing refunds.

As for the future of the cabin, Knack said he’s hopeful it can once again offer great experiences to renters.

“Hopefully we can get that [debris] removed in the very near future, and then I’ll start talks about rebuilding,” he said.