BBC:
Davy Crockett watched from miles away as the first small plumes of smoke began to rise in the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
It was not long before the small plumes transformed into huge flames. Mr Crockett, vice-president of the non-profit Grand Canyon Historical Society, went to bed but worries kept him up. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, with its panoramic views of one of the natural wonders of the world, was in the path of those flames.
On Sunday, park officials confirmed the beloved lodge was destroyed in raging wildfires.
“It broke my heart,” said Mr Crockett. “I was devastated.”
Hundreds of people are sharing his sadness and posting tributes on social media to the stone lodge perched at 8,000 feet (2,438m), the only accommodation available within the national park’s North Rim.
It was “stunning, a balm for my weary soul”, one person wrote. “Heartbroken to hear the historic lodge, visitor center and more were destroyed.”
