Fire Breaks Out in Attic of Famous Overbook Hotel From 'The Shining'
The Timberline Lodge, best known as being the exterior setting of the famous Overbook Hotel from Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film The Shining—based on the novel by Stephen King—nearly went up in flames on Thursday night after a fire broke out in the attic. But thankfully fire crews were able to extinguish the blaze before the landmark incurred too much damage.
According to TMZ, it took firefighters about two hours to get the three-alarm blaze under control, just before midnight. Windy conditions didn't help as they doused the roof with water. Meanwhile, guests were directed to assemble in safe spaces and no injuries were reported.
Thankfully, firefighters were able to keep the flames contained to just the roof and the attic. After the fire was put out, preservationists came in to collect any pieces of artwork and furniture that had been damaged by the fire hoses to preserve the historic assets. The popular hotel and ski resort, which is located about 60 miles from Portland, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
Officials are still unsure of how the blaze started, but believe that flying embers from a chimney may have sparked it.
The Clackamas Fire District provided an update on X early Friday morning.
"The fire at Timberline Lodge was declared under control at 11:12 p.m. The fire was kept to the roof and part of the attic, and didn’t spread any further," the fire protection district wrote. "Crews are clearing the scene. The U.S. Forest Service will be conducting the investigation with the help of federal resources."
The fire at Timberline Lodge was declared under control at 11:12 p.m. The fire was kept to the roof & part of the attic, & didn’t spread any further. Crews are clearing the scene. The U.S. Forest Service will be conducting the investigation with the help of federal resources. pic.twitter.com/IRoTpyB0WV
— Clackamas Fire (@clackamasfire) April 19, 2024
The Timberline Lodge has quite a colorful history, besides being the fictional setting for Kubrick's masterpiece. Constructed from 1936 to 1938 by the Works Progress Administration arm of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the lodge was furnished by local Great Depression-era artisans. On September 28, 1937, the lodge was dedicated by Roosevelt himself.
As of Friday, the ski area will remain closed to tourists.
