PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) – Authorities said Thursday that surveillance camera footage shows maintenance workers using a propane torch before to a fire that destroyed a century-old clubhouse at a suburban Detroit country club.
The Oakland Hills Country Club has estimated the loss of the clubhouse at around $80 million, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. The Ryder Cup and other major golf competitions have been held at the club.
During a news conference, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard claimed that video footage obtained on a server in the clubhouse’s water-logged basement appeared to show workmen attempting to douse a small fire in a wall with a garden hose on Feb. 17.
It also shows firefighters busting through the same wall later on, only to be met with flames and thick smoke.
According to Bloomfield Township Fire Chief John LeRoy, the employees were using the torch to preheat rubber flashing as part of a waterproofing operation.
Investigators believe the footage reveals the fire’s major cause, but they’re still looking for additional contributing reasons, according to Bouchard.
“That takes time,” said Bouchard. “We hope to have a preliminary finding by April, but the complete and entirety of the investigation could take a year.”
The potential of criminal prosecution was not mentioned by Bouchard.
The roof of the structure, which was completed in 1922, was engulfed in flames.
It appears to have spread to the clubhouse’s attic space before quickly spreading throughout the rest of the structure. There were no injuries.
Two gas tanks, a propane heater, and a propane torch were later discovered by investigators.
The clubhouse will be renovated, according to club authorities.
Since its inception in 1916, Oakland Hills has hosted six US Opens. In 1951, Ben Hogan was the winner.
The U.S. Senior Open was won by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer at Oakland Hills. The 1972 PGA Championship was won by Gary Player. Padraig Harrington became the first Irishman to win the PGA Championship in 2018, and Europe won the Ryder Cup there in 2004.
There are two courses at the club. The South course, which is more well-known, just had a $12 million refurbishment in the hopes of attracting more majors. It was been granted the US Women’s Open for the years 2031 and 2042.
