Arnold blaze claims former social club

A Monday morning blaze in a former Arnold social club caused $20,000 to $30,000 damage, fire officials said.

The fire at the former Grotesse Club, 1905 Leishman Ave., first was reported at about 12:30 a.m. Firefighters wrapped up at about 6 a.m.

The club closed in the early 2000s. More recently, the two-story brick structure was used for storage.

No injuries were reported, said Arnold fire Chief J.C. Tedorski.

About 40 firefighters and ambulance units battled the blaze.

“There was fire shooting out of the first floor doorway,” Tedorski said of the scene when firefighters first arrived.

They put out fire in the second floor and roof and otherwise held the blaze to the first floor of the brick and concrete block building, Tedorski said.

“There was a mix of things inside. Lumber and power tools and hand tools. The kind of stuff someone would use for construction,” the chief said.

The building had electrical service.

Tedorski said there was no immediate determination of a cause. A deputy state fire marshal is investigating.

Chuck Biedka is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4711 or cbiedka@tribweb.com.