Huge fire at historic UK clubhouse requires 60 firefighters, public told to stay away

At least 60 firefighters were on the scene at West Essex Golf Club on Monday afternoon responding to a fire at the historic James Braid U.K. course near Waltham Abbey. It’s unclear what started the blaze, but the two-story clubhouse “erupted into flames” around 3 p.m., requiring more than 10 nearby fire departments to manage the situation.

"When the first fire crews arrived, they confirmed everyone was accounted for, and no one was injured," Essex County Fire and Rescue Service told The Mirror. "They requested additional fire engines to support."

Black smoke was visible from miles away, with intense orange flames clear on video. But it's thankfully been reported that there were no injuries, and the entire staff has been accounted for and is safe.

Firefighters are insisting that locals stay away, and they have also placed a cordon around West Essex Golf Club.

The “challenging 6,289-yard parkland course” was founded in 1900, with the clubhouse opening in 1989 by Sir Michael Bonallack OBE, one of England’s premier amateur golfers who won the British Amateur five times between 1961 and 1970. It had celebrated its 125th anniversary just last year and is lovingly known as “The West.”

"Fire crews are working hard to prevent the fire spreading to the rear of the building," a fire-service spokesman said. "An investigation will be carried out, when safe to do so, to find the cause of the fire."