Chief says early indications are that blaze was accident
KIAWAH ISLAND -- Fire officials will be cautious investigating the destroyed
River Course golf clubhouse, saying pockets of flames were buried deep
inside the rubble Thursday.
Firefighters did all they could to extinguish a fire at the River Course
clubhouse Wednesday on Kiawah Island.
St. John's Fire Department Chief Karl Ristow said there's "still active
burning" in several areas at the site, and that no one will enter the pile
until it's safe.
Suppressant foam has been sprayed to help smother hot areas, he said.
Investigators from departments around the region are expected to be called
in to lend their expertise.
Early indications are the fire was accidental, Ristow said Thursday, adding
there is no reason to believe it was intentionally set.
The 36,000-square-foot clubhouse burned for several hours Wednesday morning,
and after crews were called back in a second time. Smoke could be seen from
miles away on James Island.
A Kiawah representative said plans are being made to move functions that had
been scheduled for the clubhouse -- weddings and other large events -- to
other sites in the Kiawah Island Club.
For instance, a golf tournament gala that was scheduled for Saturday night
is being moved to the Cassique Club, said Mike Touhill, director of public
relations for Kiawah Development Partners.
Other events will likely go to the Kiawah Beach Club or to other sites that
can accommodate larger functions once the schedule is worked out, Touhill
said.
The golf course is not open now but will be fully functional by Saturday, he
added.
Firefighters were first called to the clubhouse about 3 a.m. Wednesday to
combat a blaze that is believed to have started near a sauna area. That
first burn was reportedly contained, but crews were called out again about
90 minutes later. The fire burned out of control.
The building is a total loss, but officials are expected to rebuild. The
structure dates to 1996 and was constructed at a cost of $6.5 million.
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