Fire Causes Significant Damage at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford [Updated]

The West Hartford Fire Department said much of the work to extinguish to extinguish the fire had to be performed from ladders to the roof due to spread into interior sections of the attic. [Updated, 10 a.m.]

Fire at Wampanoag Country Club, April 20, 2024. Courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford firefighters battled a blaze at the east end of the loading dock area of the clubhouse at Wampanoag Country Club early Saturday morning that also extended into multiple areas of the roof and attic space and resulting in propane cylinders catching fire.

Deputy Fire Chief Eric Munsell said dispatchers were notified at 2:10 a.m., Saturday, April 20, by an employee at Wampanoag who reported a fire at the loading dock area. No one else was on the premises, and the caller was able to evacuate safely, Munsell said.

West Hartford Police arrived by 2:16 a.m., confirming the active fire, and fire department units began arriving by 2:18 a.m., finding heavy fire in the area of the loading dock, which is at the east end of the building, as well as smoke pouring from multiple areas of the roof.

Fire at Wampanoag Country Club, April 20, 2024. Courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

Several 20-pound propane cylinders on the premises also were emitting gas that was on fire, Munsell said.

The exterior portion of the blaze was primarily in a fenced area of the building, at the southeast corner near a kitchen door, and that fire was quickly extinguished. However, it was close to the building and had penetrated into the roof, where it spread into a large area of the attic on the south and east parts of the building, officials said.

Munsell said it was challenging to gain access to all areas of the attic to which the fire had spread, and fire was burning in multiple pockets of the attic area. Because it was not possible to reach the all parts of the attic from inside, much of the work had to be performed from the roof as well as from extended ladders.

Fire at Wampanoag Country Club, April 20, 2024. Courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

All West Hartford Fire Department units responded, and it took more than an hour to gain access to all areas of the attic, Munsell said. Crews “worked tirelessly with the challenging extinguishment and overhaul,” to fully put out the blaze.

An engine from the UConn Fire Department was also at the scene, and there was mutual aid support from New Britain Fire Department, Hartford Fire Department, and Newington Fire Department companies providing standby coverage to the rest of town. American Medical Response was at the scene at Wampanoag as well, and responded to some medical calls elsewhere in town while West Hartford Fire units were engaged with the blaze.

Fire at Wampanoag Country Club, April 20, 2024. Courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

No firefighters were injured at the incident, Munsell said.

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined and being investigated by the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office.

Crews remained on the scene, with some beginning to be released around 4:15 a.m.

In a message to Wampanoag Country Club members Saturday morning, General Manager Isaac Strorandt said the “Clubhouse will be closed with no access for an indefinite period of time.” He requested that member stay away from the club, including the golf course and driving range, until further assessment of operational ability could be made.

Damage to Wampanoag Country Club clubhouse visible in the daylight. Photo credit: Danny Roth

“The safety of our members, guests, and staff is our top priority, and we are extremely thankful that nobody was injured in the incident,” Storandt said. “If the fire had not been discovered when it was, the outcome could have been far worse.”

Wampanoag administrators are working with the fire department on the investigation, he said, and as soon as it is safe to do so, they will arrange for members to recover any personal belongings from the Clubhouse.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” he added, and said updates will be forthcoming as information becomes available.

“The West Hartford Fire Department would like to thank the multiple agencies that supported the town with coverage and of the great work done by our dispatchers and police department, Munsell said.

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