Seniors won

CLE ELUM, Wash. — Officials say meal service for senior citizens in the Cle Elum area will continue despite a weekend fire that destroyed the community’s senior center, the pickup point for the dinners.

Anyone who usually went to the center for a hot meal during the week can call 509-925-6124 for delivery, said Bruce Tabb, executive director of Elmview, which contracts with Kittitas County to provide the senior nutrition program.

Meals on Wheels clients will continue to receive deliveries, Tabb said.

Elmview staff are working to find another location in the area where they can regularly serve meals, he said.

From 30 to 35 residents usually went to the senior center for meals, with another 15 to 20 scheduled for regular delivery, Tabb said.

The senior center, a main gathering place in Cle Elum, was destroyed by an accidental fire that broke out Saturday evening while close to 100 people were there for a steak dinner.

Investigators say a grease fire or propane leak may have started the blaze.

One man was flown to Harborview Medical Center; an update on his condition was not available. Another man suffered superficial burns, and a firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

— Mark Morey