SEATTLE — A fire at Washington’s first Elks Lodge has been ruled an arson.
Television station KIRO reported that Elks Lodge No. 92 near Seattle’s Fremont Bridge will need extensive repairs and will not reopen this year.
Seattle police are investigating and will try to determine who started the fire Thursday. Lodge spokesman Corbett Cummins said the fire began outside at a door to an alley.
He said it appears someone broke up a wooden pallet, soaked it with lighter fluid and set the wood on fire. The fire annihilated the lodge office, severely damaged the kitchen and caused other damage.
The fraternal group supports charity work with a focus on veterans, children and people in need.
Cummins said prized lodge artifacts were saved include the 130-year-old charter and a century-old pool table.
