More than 40 years of memories and historic records went up in flames early Monday morning when a fire started at Moose Lodge 1088 in Inver Grove Heights.
By the afternoon, lodge members stood in the parking lot saying their goodbyes and watching as the brick structure they use to call home continued to smolder.
"This will be a pretty big impact for all of us. It wasn't just the bar on the corner," said Sue Peerboom, recorder and 17-year member of the women's chapter 588.
A neighbor called the fire department at 6:04 a.m. Monday to report flames and smoke coming from the building, in the 5900 block of Concord Boulevard, said assistant chief Mark Johnston of the Inver Grove Heights Fire Department. The lodge was closed and vacant for the Fourth of July.
The fire consumed the south half of the building, causing part of the roof to collapse, Johnston said. The cause and the estimated damages are still under investigation.
Water from the fire flooded the basement, destroying records, computers, awards and other business paperwork, members said. Firefighters were able to recover some items, including photos, the group's original charter and an altar.
"A lot of the history stuff is gone. The memories are irreplaceable. There's no dollar amount," said Corrine Flascher, senior regent and 21-year member of chapter 588.
The structure was built in the 1960s after the lodge's previous building in South St. Paul also burned, members said. Mooseheart International in Chicago owns the building.
The lodge, whose members form a fraternity that organizes community service projects, such as fundraisers for local soldiers and young athletes, has about 550 members. The group this year celebrated its 80-year anniversary. Members plan to meet locally and in Chicago to discuss whether the building is salvageable and if they need to build a new building on that site or another.
Maricella Miranda can be reached at 651-228-5421.
Distributed by the Associated Press
