Fire destroyed several structures Thursday evening on the grounds of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, but officials say they expect to open on schedule later this summer.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by state and local investigators, but it broke out as thunderstorms were moving through the area.

The fire started around 6 p.m., and due to a lack of water in the area, it was difficult to contain, officials say. By 8 p.m. the fire was mostly extinguished. About 12 fire depar