Fire burns at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township

Clubhouse built in 1926

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Firefighters were battling a building fire Friday morning at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. 

The fire broke out just before 5:30 a.m. Friday. Livonia, Dearborn Heights and Southfield firefighters were called in to assist. 

The fire apparently started in the kitchen of one of the clubhouse buildings. The flames were spreading from building to building. 

By 8:20 a.m., firefighters had doused most of the flames and were beginning to fight back the fire. 

No injuries were reported. 

The club was closed at the time the fire started, but golf course staff had just started arriving for the workday. 

"Our employees saw (the fire) some time after 5 a.m.," said club Vice President Andy Arena. 

The clubhouse first started back in 1926. That's also when the golf course was being designed. 

"It's a neat club ... very close-knit ... it's devastating. We'll replace the building, but it's the memories," said Arena. 

Arena said the club serves about 400 families. 

"It was beautiful, but after 92 years that wood was dry as a bone. We can rebuild the clubhouse, but you can't rebuild (the history)," said Arena. 

Arson investigators will be at the building working to figure out where exactly the fire started. 

Arena said he expects the membership to rally around keeping the club open and operating. 

Fire burns June 1, 2018 at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. (WDIV)
Fire burns June 1, 2018 at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. (WDIV)
Clubhouse buildings burn June 1, 2018 at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. (WDIV)
Fire burns June 1, 2018 at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. (WDIV)
Firefighters battle flames June 1, 2018 at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. (WDIV)
Firefighters battle flames June 1, 2018 at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township. (WDIV)
A fire rages at Western Golf and Country Club on June 1, 2018 in Redford Township. (WDIV)
Firefighters douse flames at Western Golf and Country Club on June 1, 2018. (WDIV)
Fire ripped through the clubhouse at Western Golf and Country Club on June 1, 2018 in Redford Township. (WDIV)

About the Authors:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.