Masonic halls in North Vancouver, Vancouver hit by separate fires early Tuesday

Fire crews have responded to separate fires at three buildings operated by the Freemason society in Metro Vancouver.

North Vancouver RCMP say in a statement a fire broke out just before 7 a.m. at the Lynn Valley Lodge Masonic hall.

A second fire was reported just minutes later four kilometres to the west at the North Vancouver Masonic Centre.

That blaze has severely damaged the low-rise structure and RCMP say they are trying to determine if the two fires are related or were deliberately set.

A third fire, at a Masonic hall in southeast Vancouver, was reported about 15 minutes after the first blaze and fire officials say it caused little damage.

Const. Tania Visintin of Vancouver police says the fire is being investigated as arson, although no one is in custody.

The Society of Freemasons was founded more than 300 years ago as a trade group and continues today as a social organization operating around the world.