Notarus Lodge At Soap Lake Burns

Sat., June 6, 1998

From Staff

Fire on Friday destroyed a log hotel that catered to tourists who come to bathe in the reputedly medicinal waters of Soap Lake.

Some 50 firefighters could not save the Notarus Lodge, a log building that was one of the largest businesses in this town of 1,100 people.

“The logs were very combustible and added to the difficulty of fighting the fire,” said Burr Beckwith of the Soap Lake Fire Department.

Mayor Phil Wick said the loss of the lodge was a blow to the region’s economy.

Cause of the fire has not been established.

Four firefighters suffered from smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported.

The fire was reported in the lodge’s basement at 2:12 p.m. and eventually spread to the main building.

Firefighters from Soap Lake, Ephrata and two Grant County fire districts responded.

The Notarus Lodge has drawn a star-studded clientele over the years. Friday’s fire was the second blaze at the resort. Owner Marina Romary’s original lodge building burned in 1980. The building that burned Friday was built to replace that one.

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