2LT Local News
Huge fire engulfs golf club at Orange in early hours of Saturday
May 18, 2019
ORANGE, Central West, NSW, Australia – Firefighters from across the region battled an extensive blaze at the Wentworth Golf Club on Ploughman's Lane in Orange for several hours on Saturday before the fire was brought under control.
The fire broke out just before 1:40am on Saturday.
Firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 412 Orange and Fire and Rescue NSW Station 216 Bathurst were first on the scene, simultaneously with the arrival of officers from Central West Police District. Rehab 312 Gulgong was then called in to provide support to on-scene firefighters as they worked tirelessly through the night to bring the blaze under control. North West, Orange Rural Fire Brigade, Springside Rural Fire Service, Lucknow & Clifton Grove Ophir Brigade also sent brigades. Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 105 Kelso were then called to the fire to relieve crews who had been working throughout the night. Rehab 312 remained on site to continue providing meals, shelter and recovery and recuperation to firefighters on the ground, which was a big effort considering Fire and Rescue NSW Station 312 Gulgong was hosting its long-planned Open Day from 10:00am Saturday.
After several hours the fire was brought under control. The major two story structure of the golf club's clubhouse was destroyed, and will need to be re-built.
Fortunately there were no casualties.
"Hey guys, obviously a very sad day for the club," a statement on the Wenworth Golf Club's Facebook page posted later on Saturday said.
"We can confirm the Clubhouse has been destroyed, the Pro Shop appears to be relatively unscathed."
"Firstly, a big thank you to all the messages and concern from people since hearing about it," the statement said.
"A massive thank you to all the Fire Brigade services that were utilised to bring the fire under control."
"For the time being the whole facility has been closed off and a crime scene has been established," the golf club statement said.
The cause of the blaze is unknown at this stage and will be subject to investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
