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.

Buildings at the historic lodge on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are among dozens destroyed. A rapidly moving wildfire has engulfed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge in Arizona in the United States. The fire forced officials to close access to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on Sunday, and residents and tourists were evacuated.

A growing wildfire at the Grand Canyon's North Rim has now charred at least 50 structures, including a historic lodge inside the popular US tourist site and natural wonder, authorities said Monday.