Suspicious fire destroys former golf clubrooms
An investigation has been launched after the former Ohai Golf Club clubrooms building, which was being renovated into a house, was destroyed by fire in suspicious circumstances.
Ohai fire chief John Hogg said a fire investigator and police would be involved in determining the cause of the blaze, thought to have started early yesterday.
‘‘It’s suspicious,’’ Hogg said. ‘‘There was no power in the place, and no work had been done [on the building] for about a week.’’
The building was destroyed, with part of the roof collapsing.
Hogg said the golf course and clubrooms were sold several years ago, with the new owners having already turned the course into a farm.
The clubhouse was being renovated into a house at the time of the fire, he said.
Ohai Golf Club life member Jim Smeaton, who played at the course for about 40 years, said it was sad to see the former clubhouse building destroyed.
‘‘We had some good nights there, very good nights. It’s something in the town that’s gone that we have great memories of.’’
The golf club had closed due to a lack of members, he said.
Hogg said the building was on fire for some time before the blaze was noticed, with the roof fully involved by the time firefighters arrived.
About 20 firefighters from Ohai, Nightcaps and Otautau fought the fire during the early hours of yesterday morning.
Hogg said one thing able to be saved was the Ohai Golf Club sign, which was still up under the eaves of the building.
‘‘I couldn’t believe it, it’s still there in reasonable nick.’’ He understood police and a fire investigator would work together in the initial stages of the investigation to find out if any accelerants were used to start the blaze.