Masonic Lodge collapses in New Bloomfield

August 22, 2011 at 10:23 a.m. | Updated August 22, 2011 at 10:23 a.m.

The first known photograph of the New Bloomfield Masonic Lodge that collapsed Thursday. The building had been used by the Bank of New Bloomfield from 1901 to 1931.
The first known photograph of the New Bloomfield Masonic Lodge that collapsed Thursday. The building had been used by the Bank of New Bloomfield from 1901 to 1931.

An old downtown building housing the New Bloomfield Masonic Lodge collapsed here shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Brick rubble from the two-story building fell across the street, blocking Redwood Drive.

Members of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons (A.F. & A.M.) Lodge No. 60 were still using the building for meetings.

Almon Churchill Pearre, a past lodge master who has been a member of the lodge for 62 years, said he was at the building about two hours before it collapsed.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.