Blaze Destroys Tri-County Clubhouse
Smoke can be seen from a distance at the Tri-County Country Club facility. Photos by Dan Kohler
Firefighters use a ladder truck to battle the blaze Sunday.
Fire engulfs the clubhouse of the golf course.
Fire trucks were on the scene after 6 for the Sunday blaze.
A ladder truck fights the Sunday blaze.
Smoke can be seen from a distance at the Tri-County Country Club facility. Photos by Dan Kohler
Firefighters use a ladder truck to battle the blaze Sunday.
Fire engulfs the clubhouse of the golf course.
Fire trucks were on the scene after 6 for the Sunday blaze.
A ladder truck fights the Sunday blaze.
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HANOVER — A fire that ravaged the main building at Tri-County Country Club early Sunday morning has closed the golf course until further notice.
Departments from around northern Chautauqua County responded to the call at 540 Route 39 in Forestville after the main building was reportedly seen on fire by a passing sheriff's deputy after 5:30 a.m. Responders included departments from East Dunkirk, Fredonia, Sheridan, Sunset Bay, Chautauqua County EMS, Emergency Services, South Dayton, Cassadaga, Forestville, Irving, Silver Creek, Hanover Center and the Seneca Nation.
Early reports indicated the fire was seen coming from one side of the building. As departments arrived, it grew larger.
By 8 a.m., the blaze was under control.
On a Facebook post, the club offered its thanks to the departments, firefighters, paramedics and all first-responders who arrived on the scene while admitting "shock." "The main level of the clubhouse is effectively a total loss. The pro shop was saved by the courageous efforts of the Fire Departments. As of now, we will be closed until we get word that we can reopen for golf, but it seems silly to think about it right now. (We) ask that people please refrain from entering the property until it is authorized by us.
"Please give us all time to process what happened. … Thank you all for your texts and for your attempts to provide comfort to us all at Tri-County. … We are all experiencing a wide range of emotions and trying to make sense of everything."
Tri-County Country Club in Forestville, according to the website, earned a reputation as one of the best in the region. The 18-hole course is located along the rolling scenery in Western New York. It is a semi-private club that was established in 1924.
On Saturday, the golf course hosted the North Tournament, which had a theme of fall and Halloween.