OAKLAND COUNTY (WWJ) - Firefighters have been battling a devastating fire that broke out at a country club in Bloomfield Township on Thursday morning, ultimately destroying the iconic building,
As of 12:30 p.m., WWJ's Mike Campbell said the fire was still "burning out of control," as flames could be seen engulfing a historic wooden building at the Oakland Hills Country Club, along Maple Road, believed the second largest wooden building in Michigan, behind only the Grand Hotel.
Emergency crews from several departments were first called to the prestigious country club at around 9:30 a.m. and have been working to extinguish the large fire for several hours. By late morning, the roof of the club's historic 110,000-square-foot building had collapsed.
"It is just burned beyond belief," WWJ's Mike Campbell reported. "The roof is gone now. When I got here you cold see the fire in the chimneys up there. I heard them collapse a minute ago; heard a big boom and a fall."
Drivers should avoid the area to allow emergency crews to do their work.
While no injuries have been reported, fire officials on the scene said the building is believed to be a total loss.
Southfield Fire Chief Johnny Menifee told WWJ that the call came in to their fire station just before 10:30 a.m. the help assist with the fire -- five vehicles, including a fire engine and a rescue life truck, responded along with five personnel.
Menifee said the cause of the fire is currently unknown, but authorities will conduct a thorough investigation once the flames have been extinguished.
"I do know that they have a lot of personnel on scene and they have a significant fire that looked like it had a significant head start on them. They're trying to extinguish it and make sure everyone is accounted for."
The country club, which is over 100 years old, has been a central figure in the history of golf in the United States. News of the fire has devastated many in the golf community and beyond.
“Today, the Golf Association of Michigan was saddened by the news of the clubhouse fire at Oakland Hills Country Club,” said Chris Whitten, Executive Director of the GAM. “Oakland Hills is one of 14 original clubs that founded the GAM in 1919, so our relationship and history is significant. The club is a true supporter of the game at all levels, professional and amateur."
“The iconic clubhouse itself is a treasure and contains some of the most significant golf memorabilia anywhere in the world from historic championships and legendary competitors. Golfers everywhere, especially in Michigan, send our best wishes to Oakland Hills for a speedy and important restoration.”
The club's first head professional was five time PGA Champion Walter Hagen. The Oakland Hills Country Club has hosted several historic events on the South Course, including Seventeen Major Championships, six U.S. Opens, the 35th Ryder Cup in 2004, and three PGA Championships and more.
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The South Course -- nicknamed "The Monster" -- has been played through and won by some of golf's greatest players, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nichlaus and Ben Hogan.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ live for the latest updates.
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