Robert Smith, who took over the business in 2019, and Nikki Versailles Phinney were able to make it out of the two-story structure on their own before firefighters reached the site on Calumet Mine Road just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Both were taken by ambulance to Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson in Iron Mountain, then later flown to a regional burn center in Milwaukee, according to reports.

The house already was engulfed in flames when crews arrived, Felch Township Fire Chief Brian Anderson said. Another house at N7531 Calumet Mine Road later caught fire after firefighters could not treat the structure due to a live power line arcing on site.

The three occupants of the second house got out without injury, Anderson said.

(Trisha Pickett photo)

Both houses are considered total losses, with the first home leveled by Wednesday afternoon, he said.

But Solberg’s Bar & Grill had minimal damage, though the fire was hot enough to melt a plastic business sign just outside the dining room entrance. A section of roof on the corner closest to the destroyed home got singed, Anderson said. A window alongside the door had to be broken as well to gain access during the fire.

Other than some smoke getting in, the bar area itself — which dates back to 1905 — was not affected.

“It was a very quick response with all departments to save this place,” said Brad Gustafson Sr., a member of the fire department.

Seven area fire departments — Felch, West Branch Township, Breen Township, Sagola Township, Norway, Breitung Township and Ford River Township — as well as Michigan Department of Natural Resources fire staff worked through the night, with about 50 people on site, Anderson said. Michigan State Police, We Energies, U.P. Propane and Travis Woodward, who brought in an excavator, assisted at the fire as well, he said.

Solberg’s Bar & Grill had already closed for the night when the fire started. Sarah Massie, who works at the business, said they hope to reopen by Friday but are still working through the details on what needs to be done to make that possible. She will post on the Solberg’s Facebook page when they know more, she said.

Solberg’s is well-known in the region for its nightly specials, including its busy Friday fish fry. It had been in the Solberg family for 114 years before being sold to Smith after Dewey Solberg decided to focus on the Solberg’s Greenleaf Sports Bar & Grill in Iron Mountain.