Fire likely totals Haskell's Port of Excelsior
A pre-dawn fire likely destroyed the restaurant portion of Haskell's Port of Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at Water and Lake streets.
The blaze burned largely in the roof; the front roof collapsed and the restaurant side is considered a likely total loss, while the attached liquor store avoided major extension and no injuries were reported. Fire crews took about 90 minutes to bring the fire under control after a second alarm brought mutual aid from Hopkins, Shorewood, Chanhassen, Golden Valley and Minnetonka.
Hennepin County fire investigators are working with the owner to determine the cause, and crews remained on scene to assess the full extent of the damage. Haskell's is a family-owned chain founded in 1934 that operated 13 locations with over 140 employees as of 2024, and reporters and residents called the Port an iconic summer gathering spot on Lake Minnetonka.
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📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, Minnesota fire departments reported 433 fires in public assembly and mercantile properties, which include restaurants and stores. ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf))
Fire in Minnesota 2024 — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division
In 2024, only 12 of the 433 fires in public assembly and mercantile properties in Minnesota were determined to be intentional (arson), representing approximately 2.8% of such fires. ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf))
Fire in Minnesota 2024 — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division
Fires in mercantile properties caused an estimated $31 million in property damage in Minnesota in 2024. ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf)) ([Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division](https://assets.dps.mn.gov/files/sfm/sfm-fire-in-minnesota-report-2024.pdf))
Fire in Minnesota 2024 — Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal Division
Haskell's is a family-owned chain of wine and spirits stores founded in 1934, operating 13 locations with over 140 employees as of 2024. ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections)) ([Haskell's Blog](https://blog.haskells.com/celebrating-90-years-of-haskells-a-journey-through-history-and-community-connections))
Celebrating 90 Years of Haskell's: A Journey Through History and Community Connections — Haskell's Blog
📌 Key Facts
- Fire began around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at Haskell’s Port of Excelsior at Water Street and Lake Street on Lake Minnetonka.
- Blaze was largely in the roof over the restaurant; the front roof collapsed and the restaurant side is considered a likely total loss.
- No injuries reported; the liquor store side avoided major fire extension.
- It took about 90 minutes to bring the fire under control, with a second alarm and mutual aid from Hopkins, Shorewood, Chanhassen, Golden Valley and Minnetonka.
- Cause is under investigation by Hennepin County fire investigators working with the owner.
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