Arson heavily damages first Wash. Elks lodge

SEATTLE (AP) – A fire at Washington’s first Elk Lodge has been ruled an arson.

Television station KIRO reports 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 says the fire began outside at a door to an alley.

He says 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 says prized lodge artifacts were saved, including the 130-year-old charter and a century-old pool table.