WILMINGTON — Three rooms in the Hungry Trout Resort were damaged when fire broke out about 10 p.m. Monday.

Several rooms in the 22-room complex were occupied when guests noticed smoke in the central annex of the motel, said owner Linda Bottcher, who was out of town with her husband, Jerry, at the time.

“The Fire Department was here in minutes and contained it to three rooms,” she said, commending their effort.

First Assistant Chief Randy Preston said the fire started in the basement of the central building on Route 86, not far from Whiteface Ski Center.

“The motel has three separate buildings, and when we arrived, we saw the center section, where they have the office, had heavy smoke conditions.”

Firefighters found the fire in the basement.

“Basement fire is extremely difficult to fight. There’s only one way in,” Preston said.

So they cut holes in the floor to gain access and contained the flames.

Single-digit temperatures and high winds proved challenging to the effort, which involved mutual aid from Lake Placid, Jay and Upper Jay fire departments, about 45 firefighters in all.

The fire has been ruled accidental by Essex County Cause and Origin Team, Preston said.

Bottcher said the motel portion of the resort sustained damage to water, heating and Internet infrastructure and is closed.

But the Hungry Trout Restaurant was not damaged at all and remains open.

The property is insured, and they will rebuild, Bottcher said.

“The rooms will be renovated in time to reopen for fishing season in May.

“The community in Wilmington has been amazing,” she added.