Two structures were a total loss while a third was damaged in an early morning blaze at the Charles Town, W.V., property on February 28. In addition to confirming that herbicides and pesticides involved in the fire were not hazardous to humans or the environment, firefighters contended with an “ice rink” that surrounded the buildings, as water from hoses froze instantly upon hitting the ground.
An early morning fire at Locust Hill Golf Course in Charles Town, W.V., spread through three buildings on February 28, resulting in significant financial loss but no injuries, the Martinsburg (W.V.) Journal reported.
Around 7:15 a.m., emergency units responded to a call from the facility’s alarm system. Upon arriving at the scene, fire responders found the facility’s clubhouse in flames, the Journal reported.
“There was heavy fire involvement through the majority of the building, spreading to the second building,” Ed Hannon, deputy director of Jefferson County Emergency Services said. “As the fire went on, the garden shed became involved. There were some herbicides and pesticides that are involved, and we’re working now with the HAZMAT crews to divert the product to prevent it from going into the streams.”
In a later update, Hannon said the chemicals involved in the fire were deemed not hazardous to humans or the environment and were diluted 98 percent prior to entering the water. No firefighters were injured due to the chemicals, although one firefighter was sent to the hospital as a precaution, the Journal reported.
Although too soon for a financial estimate, Hannon said the fire created a “significant loss” for both structure and equipment. “The first building that was initially on fire was a total loss. The adjacent building where the equipment is held is a total loss. We did save the third part of the building with aggressive action.”
Hannon estimated at least 50 golf carts were destroyed by the fire. However, the West Virginia Golf Association said that the organization’s Eastern Panhandle member reported 160 golf carts were lost, the Journal reported.
In addition to fighting the fire, emergency responders had to fight multiple obstacles to be able to perform their duties. “It’s an ice rink surrounding the building. Crews are having to be very careful with their footing. The water being sprayed in and around the building is freezing as quickly as it hits the ground,” Hannon said to the Journal.
Also, firefighters initially faced an insufficient water supply before the water department was able to boost pressure in the hydrant system, the Journal reported.
“With the chemicals, the gasoline, they had all kinds of stuff to deal with, and they did a great job,” said Wayne Clark, assistant golf professional. “I just want to thank Citizens Fire Company and Independent Fire Company and all of the fire companies that responded. They got here, and they contained it.”
Former Locust Hill employee Virginia Kincaid watched as firefighters worked to contain the flames, remembering the golf course as a family place, the Journal reported.
“There’s a lot of history here. I was the manager. I put my daughter to work here in the summer time, and our son worked in maintenance. This was a family place. It breaks my heart. I must have gotten 10 phone calls about it this morning. I just can’t believe it,” she said.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Journal reported.
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