A fire that consumed the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge on State Street in Niles early Wednesday morning has been ruled arson, according to Niles City Fire Chief Larry Lamb.

Lamb said investigators believe the fire started near a four-door car that was parked in front of the building.

“There is really no reason that the car would’ve been involved to such a state at that state of the fire,” Lamb said, “and there are other issues inside of the building.

“We are actively investigating to see who started it.”

The fire was first reported at 5:13 a.m. to Niles dispatch. Firefighters from Niles and Niles Township were first to arrive.

“I arrived with the initial crews and we immediately established major water supply and went into a defensive operation around the perimeter of the building,” Lamb said.

The fire was under control at around 6:30 a.m. The building is a total loss. No injuries are being reported.

“The sad thing about this is that baseball season is about to start and they use that building exclusively for the diamonds and it is basically the police lodge,” Lamb said.

Firefighters from Howard and Clay townships assisted.