03/30/090

Over the years thousands of Magic Valley residents have skied or learned to ski at Soldier Mountain north of Fairfield.

This morning a fire completely destroyed the ski resort's main lodge.

The facility is owned by actor and part-time Hailey resident Bruce Willis. Soldier Mountain is located twelve miles north of Fairfield in the Sawtooth National Forest.

Chief Wayne Marolf, Camas County Volunteer Fire Department said, “We're pretty sure it started in the lodge. We're going to have the state fire marshal's office do the investigation on it. They have better training than our local department does. And that way just make sure the source is what we think it is.

Marolf says the fire was reported just after 7:30 this morning. He says the fire consumed the main lodge along with an adjacent ski rental shop. About 15 fire fighters managed to save the ski patrol building.

No one was injured in the blaze.

The resort had closed for the season on Saturday and an employee party was held there on Sunday.