No injuries were reported after a Monday morning fire broke out inside the golf clubhouse of a gated Habersham County community.
An 8 a.m. phone call alerted Habersham County E-911 to the fire, which broke out inside 4,000-square-foot golf clubhouse of The Orchard, located near Turnerville.
"When the initial units arrived at 8:12 a.m., no flames were visible from outside, but smoke could be seen from the east side of the building," said Habersham County Emergency Services spokesman Rob More. "Smoke was also coming from the eaves of the structure."
Due to the severity of the fire, the officer in command of the scene requested assistance from Stephens County. Three additional engines and seven personnel were dispatched to the scene as a result.
"Stephens County personnel were released shortly after they arrived once firefighters got the fire under control," Moore said. "About 30% of the main floor of the building received heavy damage, including the kitchen area, while the remainder received moderate damage, primarily from smoke and water."
The cause of the fire is now under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Habersham County Emergency Services.
