Updated March 11:
The city of Pipestone condemned the Historic Calumet Inn Tuesday, March 10 due to the State Fire Marshal determining that it was a fire hazard, and ordered it to be closed until necessary repairs are made.
The Calumet’s owner Tammy Grubbs received a hand delivered notice from the city Tuesday morning indicating that all occupants must vacate the building by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The letter indicates that a State Fire Marshal inspection on Nov. 13, 2019 revealed nine violations of the state’s fire code and required that all nine violations must be remedied or repaired by Feb. 13. A followup inspection was done on Monday, March 9 because the State Fire Marshal had not received confirmation that the violations had been corrected, according to the letter.
After the inspection by the Fire Marshal’s office, Southwest Health and Human Services and Pipestone Building and Zoning Director Doug Fortune, it was determined that the Calumet Inn was a “distinct fire hazard.” Based upon that determination, the building was condemned and it was ordered that all occupants had to vacate the premises, as allowed under state building code.
Violations cited in the letter have to do with the sprinkler system, fire and smoke detection systems, electrical issues, partially obstructed egress pathways, ceilings and walls in need of repair, and others issues.
Grubbs said she had addressed some of the violations and had scheduled the sprinkler company to inspect the sprinkler system on Wednesday, March 11. She said she had not responded to the Fire Marshal’s Office about the violations found in November because she had not received messages from that office, and that she has now made sure that the Fire Marshal’s Office has her correct contact information.
On Tuesday Grubbs was notifying guests that they had to leave by 5 p.m. and calling to cancel reservations. She’s not sure where some of the guests will go.
“I have people staying here who are put up by social services who have no place to go,” she said.
Grubbs said the closure leaves 12 employees without jobs.
She said she plans to work to address the violations, but that it will be challenging because there will be no revenue coming in.
“We are fighters here,” Grubbs said. “We’re not going to give up just because we got a letter.”
In a statement issued by the city of Pipestone, Mayor Myron Koets said he regretted having to close the Calumet, but that the conditions required it.
“This action is being taken to protect patrons and employees of the Calumet and to protect surrounding businesses and the community in general,” Koets wrote.
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