By Patrick Tepoorten

Another chapter has been added to the tragic tale of Thomas Huffman, the former owner of the Porter House bar and restaurant in Center City. Huffman was discovered dead on North Center lake in February of 2006.

At the time, it was believed that Huffman had been on his way home in the early morning - his house was located on an unnamed island in the lake - when his snowmobile struck an ice fishing house. He was discovered the following afternoon by an ice fisherman.

On Saturday, March 17, Huffman's former house burned down and three area teenagers have admitted to starting the fire, according to Chisago County Sheriff Todd Rivard.

Witnesses saw a snowmobile departing the area of Huffman's former house in the general direction of Calendar Island, and law enforcement was able to follow up on that lead to locate the three Center City teens, ages 15, 15, and 13. The three teens subsequently admitted to investigators that they started the fire on purpose, said Rivard.

By the time Center City and Lindstrom fire fighters arrived on the scene, the house was already fully engulfed in flames. Efforts to fight the blaze were hampered by the home's location on an island, which made it difficult to get equipment to the scene.

Center City fire chief Bob Bray stated that crews were able to get portable pumps and grass rigs to the scene, and cut holes in the lake ice to access water. Still, the fire was so far along by that time, there was little to be done. "All we could really do was mop up," said Bray.

The house was isolated so there was never any danger that other houses would catch fire.

Huffman's daughter and executor of the estate, Nicole Watters, said the fire has just multiplied the circumstances of her father's death. "It was tragic, his life ending the way it did, and now the one place he truly loved is gone."

The three juveniles were arrested on charges of burglary and arson, and one was also charged with underage consumption of alcohol. All three were released to a parent or guardian.