Hot spots delay fire inquiry

KIAWAH ISLAND -- Fire officials will be cautious investigating the destroyed River Course golf clubhouse, saying pockets of flames were buried deep inside the rubble Thursday.

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Kiawah Island Fire

Firefighters did all they could to extinguish a fire at the River Course clubhouse Wednesday on Kiawah Island.

St. John's Fire Department Chief Karl Ristow said there's "still active burning" in several areas at the site, and that no one will enter the pile until it's safe.

Suppressant foam has been sprayed to help smother hot areas, he said. Investigators from departments around the region are expected to be called in to lend their expertise.

Early indications are the fire was accidental, Ristow said Thursday, adding there is no reason to believe it was intentionally set.

The 36,000-square-foot clubhouse burned for several hours Wednesday morning, and after crews were called back in a second time. Smoke could be seen from miles away on James Island.

A Kiawah representative said plans are being made to move functions that had been scheduled for the clubhouse -- weddings and other large events -- to other sites in the Kiawah Island Club.

For instance, a golf tournament gala that was scheduled for Saturday night is being moved to the Cassique Club, said Mike Touhill, director of public relations for Kiawah Development Partners.

Other events will likely go to the Kiawah Beach Club or to other sites that can accommodate larger functions once the schedule is worked out, Touhill said.

The golf course is not open now but will be fully functional by Saturday, he added.

Firefighters were first called to the clubhouse about 3 a.m. Wednesday to combat a blaze that is believed to have started near a sauna area. That first burn was reportedly contained, but crews were called out again about 90 minutes later. The fire burned out of control.

The building is a total loss, but officials are expected to rebuild. The structure dates to 1996 and was constructed at a cost of $6.5 million.