The massive flames could be seen rolling through the large home on the northeast side of Lake Minnetonka just before 7 p.m. Wednesday, with smoke billowing high into the sky. Firefighters battled extreme cold and wind trying to put it out.
"It was just huge," Wayzata Volunteer Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich recalls. "It was a fully engulfed fire when we arrived. Getting colder by the minute."
"There were many, many departments that came and responded to the fire, and they did an absolutely excellent job in subzero weather," Woodland Mayor Vince Suerth said.
Fire investigators believe the massive blaze, at 2750 Gale Road, in Woodland, broke out around 6:15 Wednesday evening.
100 firefighters from 20 departments were confronted by walls of flame, consuming a $5-million mansion.
Suerth said with no fire hydrants, crews had to set up a portable pool, fill it with tanker water and run long hoses to get to the flames.