GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) — The historic Sidney James Mountain Lodge in Gatlinburg has been welcoming guests for over five decades. The owner said that losing this building didn’t just feel like a building, but felt like they were losing a part of their family.
Gatlinburg Fire Department personnel are monitoring the aftermath of an overnight fire at the lodge.
The fire happened around 2 a.m., according to the fire department. When crews arrived at 610 Airport Road, one hotel building with 20 units inside was ablaze, according to GFD.
“Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the affected building of the hotel and have since extinguished it. Personnel will remain on scene throughout the morning to monitor for any remaining hot spots,” a GFD news release said.
Heather Maples, co-owner of the lodge, said her brother called her at 2 a.m. to tell her about the fire. She lives about 10 minutes away and rushed to the scene.
“This property is really like a family member to us,” Maples said.
The first units were built in 1958, and the damaged building contained some of those original 14 rooms. Maples’ father was a contractor who built the property room by room.
Her grandfather, Lillard Maples, started the Maples Swimming Pool in the late 1940s. After her father got out of the Navy, he built the lawn and continued expanding the property. The lodge has grown from 14 rooms to 182.
Around 10 rooms are expected to be impacted by the fire. Six rooms in the affected building sustained significant damage, and connecting rooms have water damage.
Maples said the building sits on a concrete slab, which may allow reconstruction on the same site if the foundation remains intact.
“He laid them all out,” Maples said. “He had all the lead and everything, and the color. It was quite interesting. I was just a child at the time.”
Maples said she hopes to save one of the windows.
Those affected by the fire were able to move into the Gatlinburg Community Center, GFD said. No one was injured.
Every room in the affected wing was rented at the time of the fire. Staff knocked on doors throughout the property to evacuate guests. The Gatlinburg Police Department also assisted.
Some guests were relocated to other rooms on the property that had not lost power. Neighboring hotels, including the Fairfield, took in other guests.
One guest lost their car keys, cell phones and clothes in the fire. The lodge is helping them get a replacement car fob so they can return home.
“While we do have the setback, we are continuing on with business,” Maples said. “We’ve been here a long time. We want to stay in business as long as we can.”
The Sidney James Mountain Lodge describes itself as a family-owned operation that started in 1958.
