By MITCH MITCHELL
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM/BRIAN LAWDERMILK
Arlington firefighters investigate a pair of blazes Wednesday evening at the Eastern Star Home in East Arlington.
More photosARLINGTON -- At least two suspicious fires damaged the historic Eastern Star Home, a few blocks from the future Cowboys stadium.

Arriving firefighters reported seeing flames coming from the east side of the building about 5 p.m. Wednesday and asked Arlington police to block one of the westbound lanes of Division Street at Collins Street.

"The fire is suspicious because the building was vacant and the power to the building has been cut off," said David Stapp, Arlington battalion chief.

One fire was on the ground floor of the west side of the main building, and a second fire was on the building's second floor, firefighters said.

The blaze was under control about 5:30 p.m.

Hal Thorne, the owner of the building, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The retirement home was built in 1924 by the Eastern Star organization, an affiliate of the Masonic Lodge. The organization decided in 2001 to move the few remaining residents. The home was last used to house Hurricane Katrina evacuees in 2005.

The home was added to a list of endangered historic places in 2005, when it was expected to be razed to make way for parking for the new stadium. In April, city officials said the site would not be acquired for the project.

Debates have flared over whether the home should be rehabilitated or demolished to make way for development. The cost of repairing the home has been estimated at $5 million.

"I think this is a setback for those who support the rehabilitation of the building and its future use," said Dorothy Rencurrel, a member of the Arlington Preservation Foundation. "It's just a shame that it had to burn. It was a grand building."

This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.