Tacoma, Wash., shuts down reported gay sex club.

Byline: Jason Hagey

Sep. 21--City officials have shut down a controversial gay men's club in downtown Tacoma, claiming it was a dangerous "flop house" rife with fire hazards and other code violations.

Police, fire and city license inspectors raided the Load Zone Fellowship on Friday night and immediately ordered its electricity shut off after finding evidence that young men had been paying to sleep overnight in many of the nearly 30 little rooms that had been installed shortly before the club opened.

The building, at 734 Broadway along Antique Row, was boarded up Monday afternoon and city officials revoked club owner Larry Miller's business license, saying he lied on his application and on a building permit application about what kind of activity would happen at the club.

According to city records, the club is a nonprofit civic or social organization. The little rooms, most measuring 6-by-8 feet, were intended to be used for counseling, meditation or office space, according to information supplied to the city.

The club isn't licensed as a hotel or motel, officials said.

Fire code violations included a blocked exit, another exit that led to a confusing maze and a lack of emergency lighting, smoke detectors and a fire alarm, said deputy fire marshal Phil Ferrell.