As the investigation of a suspected arson that destroyed the lobby area of Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading entered its second day, the association that operates the facility including its 1,300-seat auditorium was stuck in limbo.
“We can’t really do anything until the investigation is over,” said Irwin A. Kohler, a director of the Scottish Rite Cathedral Association, which owns the facility at 430 S. Seventh Ave., along the Reading Hospital main campus.
Kohler couldn’t offer a prediction on when the cathedral will open again because the blaze gutted the lobby, where the fire was contained to, and left the odor of smoke throughout the interior including the auditorium.
The lobby, which was remodeled about five years ago, and where the fire started around 1 a.m. Tuesday, will need to be rebuilt, he said.
The auditorium and the rest of the building will have to be aired out and cleaned, but restoration work besides minor work to shore up the building is on hold until investigators turn over the building and an insurance appraisal can be done, Kohler said.
“It’s a mess,” he said. “As far as being up and running, we can’t even put a time on that at this time because it (damage) is extensive.”
West Reading police and fire crews were dispatched at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday. Initial dispatches indicated smoke was coming from several windows.
Investigators discovered the fire was in the lobby on the west side of the building and had consumed furniture.
No one was injured.
West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben said Tuesday that the fire is being investigated as arson.
Investigators, including the Spring Township and state police fire marshals, were back in the building Wednesday.
Police did not provide an update on the investigation or provide details about how the fire may have started.
The Valley of Reading lodge of the Scottish Rite Masons moved into the newly built cathedral in 1986 after previously sharing space at the Rajah Shrine.
Besides Freemason reunions, the stage has been used over the years for productions, seminars and graduation ceremonies by community organizations such as Berks Ballet, Reading Choral Society, Ringgold Band, Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, Junior League of Reading and Reading Hospital.
Holben said anyone with information about the fire should call West Reading police at 610-373-0111 and talk to Criminal Investigator Karie Good.
Tips can be made via Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line, 877-373-9913. Tips can also be sent via text, using the keyword “alert berks,” to 847411. Crime Alert will pay a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
