West Richland (WA.) Golf Club Gutted By Fire

January 3, 2009 10:30 a.m. EST

West Richland, WA (AHN) - A fire of unknown origin or cause destroyed the West Richland Golf Course clubhouse early Tuesday in an area near Yakima, WA.

The fire in the 4,300-square-foot, two-story building at 4300 Fallon Drive was discovered by an employee who was reporting for work around 6:30 a.m.

Reports indicate that the fire started in the kitchen and quickly engulfed the entire building.

The cost of the damage is not yet determined, but according to the friends of owner Michelle Marcum, the building was bought for more than $1 million and was recently remodeled.

A fixture in the community for years, the clubhouse has been a favorite place for many senior citizens on fixed incomes.

It was also a venue of many fundraisers.

City employees and insurance adjusters are rummaging through the rubble to determine the cause of the blaze.

The incident is the third fire to destroy a Benton County building in the past couple of weeks.