Fire destroys 3 businesses in Grand Marais

(AP) – Fire has destroyed three businesses in downtown Grand Marais in northern Minnesota.

Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen says 911 dispatch received a report of a fire in the back of the Crooked Spoon Cafe early Monday afternoon. The fire spread to two neighboring businesses, Picnic & Pine and White Pine North.

Gusty winds made the fire difficult to contain. Grand Marias Public Utilities Commission was dispatched to cut power to the area, and the city also deployed a backhoe to help firefighters knock down the blaze. Firefighters have the fire under control. No one was hurt. The cause remains under investigation.