A devastating fire has burnt through the Lilydale Masonic Lodge with fire crews unable to save the structure.
Responding to the blaze, which sent smoke billowing, on Anderson Street at around 3.40pm on Saturday 16 December, both CFA and FRV were called in to help put the fire out.
13 CFA units from Bayswater, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn, Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Mooroolbark and Yellingbo attended to find the 25m by 15m structure “fully involved in fire”.
“Responding firefighters noted flames were showing well above the roofline as they arrived and it was clear that the fire had been burning for some time,” Lilydale CFA posted to social media.
“Dandenong FRV Ladder Platform was also in attendance and helped knock down the fire from above.”
The multi-agency response also saw Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and the relevant gas and electricity companies arrive on scene.
“Firefighters were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighboring properties but unfortunately the fire had already spread throughout the roof of the Masonic Lodge and we were unable to save it,” Lilydale CFA said.
“The cause has not yet been determined and is still under investigation.”
The “incident [was] deemed under control at 4.38pm” but left a trail of devastation for the Lilydale community.
In 2019, the Star Mail reported on the 100 year anniversary of the Healesville Freemasons Lodge which moved to the Lilydale Lodge to conduct their meetings in 2003.
At the time, a member said the Lilydale Masonic Lodge would have been the oldest in the region.
“Lilydale was what they would call the mother lodge of Yarra Glen and Healesville,” they said.
“So the Healesville lodge was the breakaway lodge from Lilydale and then the Yarra Glen lodge was the breakaway from Healesville… It’s absolutely one of the oldest in the region.
“We’re a community of men and we foster an environment where men can improve themselves.”
