Historic downtown building damaged by weekend fire

Published 9:26 am Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Investigators do not suspect foul play in a downtown Winchester fire Saturday night.

Winchester and Clark County firefighters responded to the fire at the International Order of Odd Fellows lodge, 66 S. Main St., around 10:15 p.m. Saturday.

Winchester Fire-EMS Maj. Gary Henry said the fire started near the center of the main floor and adjacent to a kitchen area. The fire burned into the second floor, under a stage, he said. The fire, though, was contained to the first floor. The rest of the building received some smoke damage, he said, but remains structurally sound.

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“It all appears to be accidental,” Henry said. “Nothing looks like it was intentional.”

No one was in the building when firefighters arrived Saturday night, and the building was secure, he said.

The building is still used regularly, with monthly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on the first floor and the lodge on the second floor.

The first floor bore the bulk of the damage from the fire.

“The first floor is pretty much totaled,” he said.

About three dozen firefighters responded to the blaze Saturday night, and were on the scene for up to four hours.

Monday morning, Henry said they have not spoken to anyone from the lodge, or confirmed who actually owns the building.

“I hope someone will come down and contact us … so we can find out who owns it,” he said.

According the IOOF website, the fraternal organization started in the United States in 1806. There was no information on the site about individual lodges.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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