Reynolds Landing clubhouse fire contained after staff evacuated patrons

Staff evacuated patrons before a fire engulfed the Reynolds Landing clubhouse near Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia, on Saturday night. No injuries were reported, and firefighters had contained the blaze to the building by Sunday, according to Greene County Fire Rescue’s account reported by FOX 5 Atlanta and WSB-TV.

The fire damaged the clubhouse and its Esse restaurant, a gathering place for residents of the golf community. Atlanta News First’s Alani Letang spoke with members and employees who described the restaurant as a familiar meeting place for families and neighbors.

Atlanta reporter Cody Alcorn posted video of the fire Saturday evening. His initial post included speculation from locals about propane and an early assessment of the damage. Officials had not determined the cause or the full extent of the structural damage in Sunday’s FOX 5 report.

Crews arrived within about five minutes to find the approximately 20,000-square-foot building heavily involved in flames, FOX 5 reported, citing the fire department. Firefighters began their attack with a deck gun and a 2.5-inch hose line. Winds complicated the response, and crews worked with few breaks to stop the fire from spreading beyond the structure.

Reynolds staff made sure rooms were clear before leaving, according to the department’s account. Oconee County Fire Rescue provided coverage at Station 12 and sent personnel to relieve crews at the scene. Firefighters remained at the clubhouse Sunday to extinguish hot spots.

For member Justin Cullifer, the loss was personal. He told Atlanta News First that Esse had hosted birthday lunches, company meetings and a luncheon the day after his wedding. He described a restaurant where seeing children doing homework alongside their families was ordinary.

Cullifer said the restaurant had been renovated within the previous five years.

The cause remained unknown in Atlanta News First’s Sunday-night report.

Sources

FOX 5 Atlanta: Sunday fire response update · Residents remember Esse restaurant · WSB-TV: fire contained at Reynolds Landing