Fire trucks were dispatched at 5:43 a.m. on Wednesday to the Lake Elsinore Elks Lodge 2591 on Mission Trail near Corydon in Wildomar, but efforts to save the 25-year-old community building were unsuccessful. Fire officials estimate the loss at about $3 million. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Onlookers gathered to watch fire crews extinguish the fire while black smoke continued to billow from the back of the structure. The entire roof was completely caved in, surrounded by the four supporting walls.

A three-month-old awning reading "Elks Lodge 2591" was rescued and set aside on the parking lot next to the emergency vehicles.

Fifteen engines, two trucks and six overhead were dispatched to the fire but by the time emergency vehicles arrived at the scene, heavy smoke was already billowing from the back of the lodge with flames shooting through the roof, according to Fire Captain Sean Dakin.

Poor visibility from the thick, early morning fog may have been a factor in why the smoke and fire were unnoticed even along heavily traveled Mission Trail in front of the lodge, he said.

No alarms were triggered and the fire was reported by an eyewitness.

Lodge member and employee Al Kuk considered himself lucky as he watched the fire clean-up progress later in the morning.

Kuk would have arrived for work at the lodge at his standard 5:30 a.m. start-time, but after arriving home late last night from Laughlin, he decided to sleep in. He found the lodge on fire surrounded by engines when he arrived that morning.

The lodge’s American flag, sign and miscellaneous photo albums were saved.

Kuk bemoaned the $30,000 improvements spent in the last two years to refurbish the structure with fundraising by the volunteers. A new carpet, tile and air conditioning units were scheduled to be installed next weekend in preparation of the lodge’s annual Thanksgiving dinner for more than 600 senior citizens.

Tears were shed as memories of joyous occasions were remembered in the now-smoldering remains of the lodge. Nita and Chuck Palmer of Lake Elsinore recalled their 50th wedding anniversary celebration and the constant flow of friends and good times spent at the lodge.

With 1,021 members and subcultures of activities such as computers, jazz, polka, bowling and more, Lodge 2591 had been considered one of the most active Elks lodges in the state.

According to Kuk, lodge fundraising helped to generate more than $50,000 annually for charitable community projects such as scholarships, aid to veterans’ groups and other philanthropic efforts. Not only was the lodge a place to raise money for the community by playing bingo, but it housed a strong social network that stretches across the Lake Elsinore Valley.

"This is the place for many of the seniors," said Nita as she wiped away Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] tears. "This is their entertainment. This is the place for friends and family and everything."

Hamburger night on Wednesdays, prime rib on Thursday nights and a choice of 14 dinner selections on Friday nights, among other weekly offerings and activities, packed the parking lots almost every night of the week.

Although the pain of their loss was still fresh, 28-year founding member John Sheppard of Lakeland Village predicts the lodge membership will rise up to meet the challenge with its customary grace and bravado.

"Folks like ourselves have invested a lot of our lives into it," said Sheppard after he and Kuk recalled pouring the foundation for the lodge headquarters after its move from the Four Corners area in Lake Elsinore in 1983.

The devastating tragedy will be overcome in the same fashion, members agreed.

"A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into this place over the years, all built by volunteers," said Kuk. "We’ve got a lot of good members and I guarantee it, we’ll have this place built in [18 months] or a year. That’s the way it is."

"There are so many talented individuals who belong to this lodge and their hearts are there, too," reflected Sheppard. "The giving is there when you need it."

According to Leading Knight Rafael Lopez, the Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 21 will proceed as planned, although accommodations may be outside.

There will be two seatings – at 12 and 2 p.m. – for the event. Free dinner tickets will be available at the Senior Citizen Centers in Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Perris, Sun City, Temecula and Wildomar.

Tickets will also be available at the lodge during regular office hours. Those interested may call (951) 674-6804.

In addition, the annual Christmas Tree Lane community fundraiser is scheduled to be held at Diamond Stadium as planned.

Lopez says it is uncertain at this point whether the lodge will be rebuilt at its current site, but he says efforts are already underway to secure insurance information for plans toward a new lodge building in the area.

"We will rebuild," he said. "We will make an even better lodge but we just don’t know if it will be at the same location. We are going to go on as normally as possible."

An emergency Elks Lodge 2591 meeting will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at the neighboring Veterans of Foreign War Post 1058.

The lodge is requesting from the community donations in the form of a meeting space with a capacity of 200, located on an industrial site; tables, chairs and awnings for the Thanksgiving dinner; and any kind of social event as a fundraiser.

Those able to assist with any of the above may contact Lopez at (951) 764-5631 or Sharon Heil at (951) 245-2948.