BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A massive blaze Thursday caused "extensive" damage to the Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Township Fire Chief John LeRoy said, complicating the future of an ornate and historic facility that has been hosting major national golf championships.
People in the clubhouse alerted firefighters to the smell of smoke at 9:17 a.m., LeRoy said. Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras and drilled inspection holes in the ceiling to find flames in the attic. It was difficult to find the cause of the smell in such a large building, LeRoy said. The clubhouse is 110,000 square feet.
The stately clubhouse was engulfed by midmorning in a blaze of spectacular size. The fire lost some strength by midafternoon, but by 6:20 p.m. had grown again on the south end of the building, which is positioned to host more golf tournaments in the coming decade.
