The Morton Grove, Ill., golf course is estimating damage at $135,000 after what authorities believe was a “most likely intentional” fire set by a tiki torch on September 2. The golf course has since reopened, despite 80% of its golf cart fleet being destroyed, and is using carts from nearby golf courses for the remainder of the season.
Forty-five golf carts were destroyed on September 2 when a fire spread through Chick Evans Golf Course in Morton Grove, Ill., the Niles (Ill.) Herald-Spectator reported.
Cook County Sheriff’s Department Spokeswoman Sophia Ansari said the fire was reported around 8:50 p.m. by an employee. It appeared that a “tiki torch” may have been used to start the fire which spread across a set of golf carts parked on the south side of the clubhouse area, damaging nearly four dozen of them, Ansari said.
“It’s not an accidental fire,” Ansari said. “At this point, the cause and the motive are under investigation.”
Morton Grove Fire Chief Tom Friel added that the fire was “definitely suspicious and most likely intentional.” He would not say if it appeared that an accelerant had been used, though he noted that each cart is powered by gasoline, which likely contributed to it spreading rapidly, the Herald-Spectator reported.
The golf carts had a value of about $3,000 each, Ansari said, resulting in an estimated loss of $135,000, the Herald-Spectator reported.
According to Friel, roughly two dozen carts were left untouched by the flames. A nearby oak tree was charred, but no injuries were reported.
Morton Grove and Glenview Fire Departments responded to the fire, which was extinguished in minutes, the Herald-Spectator reported.
“We got control of it fairly quickly,” Friel said.
Jered Wieland, regional manager for Chick Evans, said the fire destroyed about 80 percent of the fleet of carts. The course has reopened since the fire and will use carts from other area golf courses through the remainder of the golf season, the Herald-Spectator reported.
“It really hasn’t impacted the other courses because we’re pulling from a few different facilities,” Wieland said. “We’ve been able to get Chick Evans back up and fully functional.”
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.