Fire that destroyed Lacey ballroom was arson

LACEY, Thurston County - Fire officials say the blaze that destroyed the historic Evergreen Ballroom on July 20 was arson.

Fire Marshal Tom Miller said yesterday that investigators have identified several people of interest in the case.

He said the fire was started from the inside, at the southwest corner of the building.

Over 68 years, the Evergreen Ballroom featured a wide range of acts, from Fred Astaire and Duke Ellington to Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin.