READING, Mass. — Reading fire investigators are working to determine what caused a golf clubhouse under construction to go up in flames early Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to the golf club just before 5 a.m., according to Chief Gregory Burns.
“They had heavy fire visible throughout the 2nd floor,” Burns said.
Witness cell phone video shows the orange flames erupting out of the second-floor windows.
NEW - witness video of the fire at Meadow Brook Golf Club. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/ZB7YHj4YZx
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) April 13, 2021
“I think we’re still in shock, um it was almost a year ago that the other clubhouse burned down,” said Katie Coppins, a board of governors member.
Coppins said the club has about 400 members and has been in existence since 1898.
The clubhouse was under construction, a rebuild from the previous one that burned down on April 17, 2020.
Firefighters struggled to access water in order to beat back the blaze.
HAPPENING NOW - Reading firefighters spraying hot spots after a fire at Meadow Brook Country Club. Nearly one year ago the clubhouse was also badly damaged by a fire. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/MO85ZB49X3
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) April 13, 2021
“This area is a little tough for us, the hydrant supply, the dead-end road,” said Burns.
The building is a total loss.
Reading firefighters and the State Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the fire’s cause.
Flames still popping out of the clubhouse of the Meadow Brook Golf Club. Fire began shy of 5am according to Reading fire chief Burns. The building is a total loss. One member calls the loss ‘devastating,’ it comes nearly a year after the old clubhouse burned down. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/CvSEJIcUv6
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) April 13, 2021
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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