Firefighters were tackling a major blaze at the Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, after smoke was seen pouring from the roof of the private country club on Wednesday afternoon.
Crews were called to the club on Sunningdale Drive shortly before 3pm after a fire was reported in the ceiling, according to Grosse Pointe Woods director of public safety John Kosanke.
Flames later broke through the roof as the fire intensified. A resident who lives three homes from the golf course said he watched emergency crews arrive and saw the blaze spread through the building.
The resident and others who had gathered in the car park were eventually evacuated as conditions worsened. “I don’t know how you salvage this with the amount of smoke and water damage,” he said.
Authorities urged residents and drivers to avoid the area and allow emergency vehicles to pass. The Grosse Pointe Public School System also asked families to stay away from the club during the afternoon dismissal period.
Witnesses told CBS Detroit that the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen before spreading into the attic, although officials had not confirmed the cause. No further details about the extent of the damage were immediately available.
The Lochmoor Club, which includes a golf course, swimming pool, tennis and pickleball facilities, has been based in Grosse Pointe Woods since 1917.
