2024 Fayette Lodge # 69 GOOD NEWS
The fire was concentrated at the main door to enter the lodge's lower level. The damage was minimal on the surface, and now all the renovations are completed. The burnt area on the 2nd-floor preparation room and one of the vents in the exterior wall in the attic are repaired. However, the fire had been smoldering, and the lodge was filled with black smoke. All the walls and ceiling have been painted, and we have just purchased a new stove and are currently renovating the kitchen. The plans are to have now many breakfast and dinner meals to raise money to run the lodge.
The fire appears to have been caused by an arsonist whom the police arrested and are serving time for. The lodge has been boarded up, and temporary locks have been installed. Everyone is curious to see what has happened to the lodge; you can visit this website's gallery page to see photos of the damage.
One of the positive stories from this event is neighbors noticed smoke coming from the lodge as they drove by. They stopped and saw that it was a fire and called 911. Without their call, the damage could have and likely would have been catastrophic. About 4 minutes after the call, a firefighter was only a few blocks away. He was familiar with the lodge layout because he had been to the lodge for events as a child, and his father was a member and Past Master of Fayette Lodge.
Our neighbors have opened a GoFundMe page for Fayette. This will help, as we have a $10,000 insurance deductible. Today, Fayette Lodge learned how fortunate we are to have responsible, good neighbors! If you want to donate, mail your donation directly to the lodge or gofundme.com and click Fire Damage Fayette Lodge 69.
My brother, the Grand Architect of the Universe, looked after Fayette Lodge today.
WB Rodrick Neff recorded this account,