Police have a suspect in custody after the historic Grand Forks Hotel was destroyed in a fire early Wednesday morning.
The hotel dates back to 1898 and the owner had just spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on renovations.
The fire department said they first received a call about a fire at the Winnipeg Hotel at 4th Street and Highway 3 at 3:30 a.m.
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While the chief was at that fire, they received a second call about the fire at the Grand Forks Hotel, two blocks away.
Both fires were outside and set at the rear.
The fire department said there were guests at both hotels, but everyone got out safely and no one was hurt. Emergency services are assisting 20 people displaced by the fire.
The chief said they will be looking for signs of suspicious activity as they investigate the two blazes.
The damage to the Grand Forks Hotel is estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million.
Hotel owner Bob Smith said he believes the fires were suspicious but the fire department is still investigating.
Highway 3 will most likely be closed for the day to protect the public from possible collapse.
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