A malfunctioning cooler was the cause of a Thursday morning fire that gutted part of the interior of the Moose Lodge in Superior, causing an estimated $150,000 in damage.
The Superior Fire Department was called to 66 E. Fifth St., at 2:39 a.m. Battalion Chief Scott Gordon said the fire had been burning for a while before the call. Heavy smoke was coming out of the building when firefighters arrived.
No injuries were reported.
It took about an hour for the three engine companies and battalion chief to put the fire out, but they remained on the scene until 5:42 a.m. battling hot spots.
A cooler behind the bar in the social area was the cause of the blaze, Gordon said. While the exterior of the metal building remains intact, the fire completely gutted half the interior - including the bar and office area. In addition, firefighters had to tear into walls and the ceiling to put out the fire.
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Members of the lodge were on the site Thursday morning waiting for a chance to enter the building and assess the damage.
"We're planning on opening back up," said Troy Magnuson, governor of Lodge 606.
"Just as quickly as we can," added Chuck Christenson, deputy regional manager for the Wisconsin Moose Association.
In the meantime, the Belgian Club has opened its doors to the Moose.
"They're going to help us out," Christenson said.
All activities scheduled for the Moose Lodge, including Monday night bingo, will now be at the Belgian Club, 3931 E. Second St.
The building, Superior Moose Family Center 606, has been home to the fraternal order since it was built in 1974. The Superior lodge has about 500 members between the Loyal Order of the Moose 606 and the Women of the Moose Chapter 795.
Christenson and Magnuson were optimistic that much of the memorabilia in the banquet hall area, which sustained only water and smoke damage, could be salvaged. Gordon said the fire and water damage to that side of the building was minimal. The lodge is valued at $500,000, Gordon said.
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"We're figuring we saved $350,000," he said.
