Fire at Forest Hills Country Club Curbed by Sprinklers

A large bin full of dirty laundry that caught on fire inside the loading dock area at the Forest Hills Country Club in Clarkson Valley set off a fire alarm that prompted Monarch Fire Protection District firefighters to respond at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday. The club is located at 36 Forest Club Dr.

Upon arrival, Monarch Fire Marshal Roger Herin said firefighters found smoke coming up an interior stairway from the lower level near the loading dock area.  A first alarm was struck summoning more equipment and manpower as a precaution, he said.

"Upon investigation, it was found a large bin full of dirty laundry was on fire inside the loading dock area, and two fire sprinklers were controlling the fire," said Herin.

Firefighters quickly completed extinguished the fire and stopped the water flow. 

Damage was very minimal, and there were no injuries, said Herin. 

"This could have been quite a catastrophe had the fire alarm system not activated, and had the sprinkler system not controlled the fire until our arrival. At the time of day this occurred, it is likely the fire would have spread throughout other parts of the building, and possibly through the roof, before being noticed," he said.

"This is a case where, after the fire started, everything worked as it should have."

He said the cause of the fire is listed as undetermined at this time, but rags containing cooking oil in the laundry bin and the ambient heat may have been a factor.