Photo by: wfla
A destructive fire at a former Lakeland golf course’s clubhouse is suspicious in nature, according to officials.
“I would say that it’s a total loss,” said Lakeland Fire Department Fire Inspector David Sutherland.
Fire crews, including more than a dozen firefighters, worked for more than eight hours to fight the fire at Wedgewood Golf Course Clubhouse Saturday night.
“Because of the driveway, it was just difficult to find a good position to attack the fire directly because of the position of the fire,” said Sutherland.
Sutherland said the second floor was engulfed in flames.
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations has a detective assigned to look into what caused it.
A poster from the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention, shared by the Lakeland Fire Department, states officials suspect the fire was a result of arson.
That organization is offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information on who set the fire.
Tipsters can call 1-877-662-7766 (NO ARSON).
“The circumstances around the fire are suspicious mainly due to how the property was being used at the time. I believe it was just being used as an office by the developer and they’ve had complaints in the past about break-ins,” said Sutherland.
Lakeland police reported two burglaries at the clubhouse in 2023 and 2022.
The golf course was established in 1931 and closed in 2021.
It was purchased that year by developers for $4.5 million.
“We’re showing approximately 1,400 units—a mix between apartments, townhomes and some single family,” Jonathan Hall with Ronin Assets said in an interview with News Channel 8 in 2022.
Hall said the goal was to revitalize the neighborhood.
During the approval process, some nearby residents voiced concerns about the golf course being turned into housing units.
“We want to be good neighbors. We know that it’s a sensitive project. We really wanna put a lot of effort into incorporating the community into the project,” Hall said at the time.
When reached for comment Thursday, Hall said they were “devastated someone would do this and hoping they find out who did it.”
Suffering from fire damage to your property can be a devastating experience, leaving you with significant financial and emotional burdens. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the challenges you face after such a traumatic event and are here to provide expert legal support. Our experienced attorneys specialize in handling fire damage claims and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses. We’ll review your insurance policy, assess the extent of the damage, and negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. Whether your claim has been wrongfully denied, delayed, or undervalued, we’ll fight for your rights. Don’t let fire damage disrupt your life – contact Ovadia Law Group today at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation. Let us help you navigate the complexities of fire damage claims and get the compensation you deserve.
Source: wfla
