Lutherhill Citzler Retreat Center Burns
-
A fire at Lutherhill destroyed the camp’s Citzler Retreat Center, which also served as on-site housing for one of the camp’s staff members. -
A shot of the still-smoldering Ciztler Retreat Center after the fire was extinguished Saturday.
A fire at Lutherhill destroyed the camp’s Citzler Retreat Center on Saturday, Aug. 16. The fire started around 12:45 p.m.
Lutherhill Executive Director Matt Kindsvatter said the camp was hosting a retreat at the time, and one of their guests discovered the fire at the Citzler Center. Staff called 911 and first responders began to arrive soon thereafter.
La Grange Volunteer Fire Department, Round Top-Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County EMS, and Fayette Electric Cooperative all responded. Joe Rogers Dozer Service assisted as well.
“They were able to contain it,” Kindsvatter said. “It was kind of set in the woods, but none of the brush or trees burned around it.”
Kindsvatter said the structure was not the camp’s new retreat center completed earlier this year, but rather an older facility located near the RV loop that has been used for many purposes over the years.
“It had served as an arts and crafts building, an extra cabin, an RV community center, and currently, the front half of the facility was used as our laundry area for summer staff and storage,” Kindsvatter said. “But the biggest hit for us, the back half of the facility, was the living quarters for one of our program associates.”
Kindsvatter said the staff member, Rowdy Weidemann, lost all of his personal possessions in the fire.
“We have other temporary housing as we figure out a more permanent place for him,” Kindsvatter said.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire. Kindsvatter said he did not know how the fire started. He said a fire inspector plans to visit the site later this week to try and determine the cause and the extent of the damages. The building was insured, he said.
Firefighters extinguished the flames and left the scene around 3:30 p.m.
“It was not fun, but we’re all OK,” Kindsvatter said. “We’re just so appreciative of being in this community, the first responders we have, and that everyone is safe. That’s the biggest thing. We can replace items.”