UPDATED: Arson Suspected in Velvet Rope Fire

Owner of Oak Park's Velvet Rope says inflammatory message found on wall inside the fire-ravaged night club.

Update, 11:44 a.m. The State Fire Marshal's office is investigating Sunday's fire after "determining there was probable cause to indicate arson" may have caused the blaze, authorities said. A full report on the fire should be completed by Thursday, Oak Park fire officials said.  Police in Oak Park did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment. According to a department-issued press release, "no additional information will be available until the investigation is completed." The owner of the Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge in Oak Park believes the early morning fire that destroyed his night club was motivated by anti-gay sentiments, WGN-TV reports. Frank Elliott, 25, told the TV station derogatory comments were discovered on a wall inside …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)