The fire at the Windigo Lodge occurred sometime between 3:30 and 4:21 a.m. on July 12, 1991. The lodge was occupied by seven employees and seven guests at the time of the fire. The fire was reported to the Cook County Sheriffs Department at 4:21 a.m. by Donald Anderson, a guest staying in one of the cabins. Mr. Anderson stated he was awakened by a family member who heard shouting and glass breaking. Mr. Anderson dressed and ran to the lodge where he saw people jumping from windows. He ran to the west side of the building and entered the enclosed stairway vestibule where the phone was located. Mr. Anderson stated it was hot, dark, and smoky and he could not find the phone; he then ran from the building to his pickup truck to get a flashlight. He then ran back to the west exit and was able to locate the phone. He was the first person to report the fire.