Smoke on the Water
Massive fire incinerates clubhouse at Greg Norman-designed golf course in Australia
On Sunday, plumes of smoke were visible for over 30 miles as the clubhouse at the Greg Norman-designed Eastern Golf Club in Yering, Australia was engulfed in a massive blaze. 80 first responders, 25 emergency vehicles and dozens of firefighters battled the flames, which broke out around 2 p.m. local time. Unconfirmed reports suggest the fire began when a golf cart battery exploded, with all 20 to 30 individuals in the clubhouse safely evacuated soon after. Miraculously there were no injuries reported.
Unfortunately the clubhouse itself wasn't so lucky. Thanks to windy conditions, the flames quickly spread through the structure, collapsing the roof and razing much of the building down to the foundation. CFA district 13 assistant fire office David Renkin called the clubhouse “a total loss.” The clouds of black smoke rising from the building were so intense they forced local pilots to reroute flights and a smoke warning was issued for nearby residents as the haze dispersed.
Josh Potts
ABC News
ABC News
ABC News
Needless to say, it was a sad day to for employees and members of the Yarra Valley club, but it could have been a lot worse. Buildings can be rebuilt and greens resodded. The important thing is that no one was hurt in the blaze.