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Historic mansion burns in Hastings

Fire crews were dispatched to Thorwood Rentals and Retreats at 315 Pine Street around 5:30 a.m., and found the 10,000 square foot building engulfed upon arrival. Mutual aid was soon called for.

HASTINGS, Minn. - A historic mansion suffered significant damage Thursday morning after catching on fire in Hastings.

Fire crews were dispatched to Thorwood Rentals and Retreats at 315 Pine Street around 5:30 a.m., and found the 10,000 square foot building engulfed upon arrival. Mutual aid was soon called for.

Crews were still on scene at 11 a.m., and a fire department employee indicated they would be there for hours. At this point the extent of the damage is unclear.

When fire crews arrived they found the historic Thorwood mansion engulfed.

The Thorwood was originally built as a stately home for a lumberman and his family back in the 1880s. Most recently it served as a popular Bed and Breakfast, and then was remodeled to its current configuration of three luxury condos.

Hastings resident Brenda Beissel grew up across the street from the Thorwood in a home her mother still lives in. She remembers playing with the daughters of owners Pam and Dick Thornson, and how kind and generous the couple was. Brenda also recalls a previous fire in the late 1980s that significantly damaged the old inn.

"It's so sad to see anyone lose their home to a fire, but especially devastating when this is the second time their family has gone through this," Beissel told KARE 11.

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