Fire Destroys Old Party House in Ransom Canyon
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: December 10, 2007
A part of Ransom Canyon history went up in flames on Monday. The old party house burned for most of the afternoon.
It took volunteer fire crews from both Ransom Canyon and Buffalo Springs Lake to get the fire under control. They tried to fight it from the inside first, but soon realized it was too dangerous and backed out. They decided to let the flames destroy the house while they kept it contained because when the house collapsed, fighting the fire was easier. The party house was built back in 1978 and it's hosted many parties, weddings and celebrations over the years. Bettye Cook has lived across from Party Island for the past 20 years and says it was hard to watch such a memorable spot go up in flames. She says, "It was a place 
of fun and friendship and we enjoyed it. We moved here in 1986 and that party house was one of the features. You know the grandchildren thought we had moved to the gates of heaven here."
It took fire crews about 6 hours to put the blaze completely out, and they say thankfully no one was hurt. Ransom Canyon Fire Chief Rand McPherson says it will most likely be days before they know what started the fire so, we'll keep you updated.
