1110 Beach Drive – Victoria Golf Club

Daily Colonist,

August 16, 1927.

FIRE RAZES BUILDINGS OF VICTORIA GOLF CLUB IN PRESENCE OF CROWD.

 5000 People Witness Blaze That Threatens Houses on Waterfront – Dry Weather and Low Water Pressure Make Fire Hard One to Fight – Reflection Seen in City.

Damages Estimated at $25,000; Furnishings and Golf Sets Lost.

The Victoria Golf Club’s new clubhouse, with what remained of the old one, was destroyed by fire last night. Damages estimated at $25,000. Buildings and furnishings were covered by insurance. Over 5000 people saw the blaze.

The fire was first noticed about 7:20 o’clock. Mrs. M. Morgan, a waitress at the clubhouse, saw the smoke and flames coming from the windows of the ladies’ room. She immediately put in the fire call. A China man on the staff also noticed the smoke and telephone to Capt. J. E. Perks, Sec. of the club, who, in turn, put in another call to the fire department. Mr. Jack Exton and Mr. Robert Pugh, who also work at the club, notice the smoke coming from the direction of the ladies’ room. What started the fire is not known

the fire department received the first call at 7:30 o’clock and immediately dispatch the truck from the Duchess Street fire Hall. At 7:40 of o’clock a second call came in for the pump truck, which was sent out to the scene to boost the water pressure

Pressure Low.

Due to the low pressure and the tinder -like wood, caused by the dry weather of the last two weeks, it did not take many minutes for the flames to spread. They soon and enveloped the old clubhouse and leaped to the new structure. The flames shot 100 feet into the air. Large, flaming cinders were blown toward the homes on the waterfront, while myriads of sparks were carried along in the breeze, setting fire to the grass and nearby trees.

A gang of men had to work on the waterfront homes to moisten the roofs so that they would not catch fire.

When the pumping truck arrived a steady stream of water was played on the new structure, the old buildings having already been demolished.

Golf Sets Lost.

Efforts were made to save as many of the golf sets as possible. The 12 or 14 sets that were saved all belong to visitors would come to the city to attend the Senior’s Northwest Golf Tournament at Colwood. Mr. Philip Taylor, the professional at Oak Bay, plus practically all his equipment, which was covered by insurance.

The flames shooting skyward cast reflection that could be seen in the city. In a short space of time the greens surrounding the club house were thronged with people. It is estimated that there were over 5000 people present. Beach Drive in the vicinity of the club, was congested with automobile traffic.

Some $3500 worth of insurance was carried on the old clubhouse, while the new structure was insured up to its stage of construction. The value of the building at the time of the fire is estimated at $16,000. It was to be have been ready for the members’ use in four weeks time. Williams, Trewise and Williams are the contractors.