Fort Lauderdale fire officials are investigating an early morning blaze that ripped through a building at the Coral Ridge Country Club Tuesday causing at least $2.5 million worth of damage.
Fire Rescue units responded to the club at 3801 Bayview Drive at around 2:50 a.m. after receiving 911 calls reporting fire and explosions, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Matt Little said.
When they arrived, firefighters found a 3,000 square foot building used to house golf carts engulfed in flames, Little said.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, but not before the fire gutted the building and destroyed the 90 GPS-equipped electric carts valued at $540,000, Little said.
The fire also caused heavy smoke damage to a nearby golf shop. Total damages were estimated at between $2.5 and $3 million.
Club spokesman Chuck Malkus said the golf carts were charging batteries overnight and something may have sparked.
Little said investigators determined the fire was accidental and was caused by an electrical problem.
One firefighter sustained a leg injury and was taken to Broward General Hospital. He's expected to be OK.
Malkus said nothing like this had happened in the 57 years the club has been in operation. He said it will remain open for golf, tennis and swimming.
