One day after fire caused extensive damage to the lodge on Credit Island, investigators are still looking for the cause. Davenport Fire Chief, Lynn Washburn, says her department is being assisted by an independent insurance investigator, but so far the best they can come up with is "accidental."
"Accidental fires can start for any number of reasons. When you say accidental, it simply means it was not purposely set."
The power was on at the lodge, and city workers had visited just the previous day (Wednesday), to do a routine check. The origin of the fire is now thought to be on the second floor, near the bathrooms in the northwest part of the building.
Washburn says so far, there's no damage estimate.
"To put a dollar amount on the damage will be up to the Parks Department. We'll also have a structural engineer come out to determine the extent of the damage and what the future of the building is."
She also says by later today the fire department would turn over the Credit Island Lodge to the Davenport parks department which will be responsible for it from now on. The lodge is more than 80 years old, and was extensively renovated just two years ago.