A large and difficult-to-battle fire had raged on the upper floor of the historic building — which contained bars, a restaurant, apartments and hotel rooms — on Friday. Emergency crews were on scene for six hours, and by the end, the premises were left heavily damaged by fire, smoke and water.

To assess the damage to the beloved landmark, Paul Davis Property Restoration Experts visited the property at 223 Ludington St. on Tuesday.

The owner, Gabor Zsolnay, contacted the restoration company, which is the same company that was working at Mo’s Pub after the fire at that establishment, according to Tyler DuBord, general manager of the House of Ludington.

“Our owner reached out to them to come do a quick evaluation of the building property, and then they will type up a report and then send that over to the owner,” DuBord said.

Aerial photography shows damage to Escanaba's landmark House of Ludington after Friday's fire. (Photo courtesy of Jay Stolp of Polar Lights Imaging)

Paul Davis is a franchise network that provides complete property damage emergency services and restoration, from assessment and inspection to site securing; smoke, soot and water mitigation; air scrubbing; reconstruction and final restoration.

People have speculated the building will be a “total loss,” but until more information comes in, it’s unknown whether what remains will be saved.

“I think that would be determined by both the restoration company and the insurance to (make) determinations, and then that will then fall into the hands of the owner — what he wants to do in regards to that building,” DuBord said Tuesday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation.

Called the “crown jewel of Escanaba,” the House of Ludington, previously the Ludington Hotel, was built in 1864 and had been in the middle of what is now the town’s Main Street. It has seen a series of owners and additions over the decades.

Late Friday morning, a firefighter from the Escanaba Public Safety Department gets close to the action from a ladder truck as the House of Ludington burns. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

In 2022, after a period of the venue being closed, Zsolnay, a retired architect based in the Chicago area, purchased the building. Work done to the House of Ludington under Zsolnay’s ownership included remodeling some hotel rooms, remodeling the ceiling in the ballroom, and some plumbing work. It reopened to the public in mid-2023. As an old building with many parts added on at various times, something always seemed to be in process or awaiting restoration.

Now, with the building all but destroyed, nine people living in seven apartments have been displaced and 14 jobs were lost. Even while the fire still was burning Friday afternoon, community members launched relief funds.

People wishing to donate have a number of options. On Venmo, payments may be made to @HOLfirerelief. At First Bank, 1921 Third Ave. N. and 2800 Ludington St. in Escanaba, donations may be made to the “House of Ludington Employees and Residents Relief Fund.”

Tonight, members of the House Band from the House of Ludington, who managed to salvage their equipment, will play at Leigh’s Garden Winery and collect money for the same cause.

The day of the fire, DuBord had referred to the destruction as a “hurtful, historical tragedy,” but remarked, “I think the House of Ludington history and memories will live on with everyone that knows the House of Ludington.”

Aerial photography shows damage to Escanaba's landmark House of Ludington after Friday's fire. (Photo courtesy of Jay Stolp of Polar Lights Imaging)

He thanked the firefighters for responding quickly and is grateful that all people got out of the building unharmed.

“And I want to continue to thank the community for their prayers and support … in regards to donations or looking out for the displaced tenants and employees,” DuBord added.

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R. R. Branstrom can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 140, or rbranstrom@dailypress.net.

Crews from multiple departments battle flames on various sides of the House of Ludington at 11:47 a.m. Friday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Heavy smoke and flames climb from the roof of the House of Ludington in Escanaba on Friday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Fire shoots from a third-story window late Friday morning as the Escanaba Public Safety Department trains jets of water on the House of Ludington in Escanaba. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)