Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
A Worland volunteer firefighter gets some water on some flames up on the ceiling in the break room at the Green Hills Golf Course maintenance shop on Oct. 8, 2024.
Green Hills Golf Course golf pro Donnie Bjorhus talks to Worland Fire Chief Chris Kocher about what can be found in the first portion of the shop/maintenance building and how a door separates the back section of the building. The fire, which started accidentally on Oct. 8, was contained to the first part of the building.
The investigation into an accidental fire at the Green Hills Golf Course is still underway to determine the exact cause, according to Worland Fire Chief Chris Kocher.
Kocher said Worland Fire was dispatched at 5:41 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 to a structure fire. They were able to contain the fire, at the golf course maintenance building to the front portion of the building.
He said there was a little bit of smoke damage to the second set of rooms but no smoke or fire damage reached the back section of the building.
City of Worland Public Works Director Nick Kruger said the portion that received damage was the office area, employee break room and a portion of the maintenance bays. However, the equipment portion of the maintenance building was spared from any damage.
He said a golfer and his son happened to be driving by and saw smoke. They went to the pro shop to let someone know.
"Fortunately [Fire Capt.] Brandon Yule was there and took a look and determined it was an active fire," Kruger said.
Kruger said two pieces of equipment received heat damage, a mower and a chemical sprayer.
"We lost 2,800 square feet of the building. There is some structural loss," Kruger said on Friday, noting the city was waiting for the insurance company to complete their assessment.
"The biggest thing is the metal roof and siding were heat warped and the insulation is gone," Kruger said.
CAUSE
Kruger said it appears the fire started in the bathroom but the city was awaiting the official report.
Kocher said, "This is viewed as accidental but the exact cause is still under investigation." He said it should be completed mid to late this week.
There were 15 firefighters on scene, five engines and two command units. Firefighters left the scene about 8:30 p.m. and were clear of the fire hall shortly after 10 p.m.
Kocher said, "Damage was minimized to the back portion because [city] crews closed the doors compartmentalizing the building before they left for the day." He said this is a good lesson for people to close doors as it reduces fire growth and smoke movement.
Kruger added, "Closing the doors [between shop and storage area] is a huge one. We would have lost the entire building. It is usually kept closed."
"The firefighters did a great job. They worked diligently with a quick response," Kocher said.
Kruger said that once the investigation is complete by the department and insurance company the city can move forward with reconstruction, working on the heated section first so maintenance can resume in the winter.
"We have to waterproof the shell first," he noted.
The golf course is still operating, Kruger said, noting the pro shop and cart sheds were not involved in the fire last week.
There are two other shops they can work with, they are workable but inconvenient, he said.
VOLUNTEERS
While they did have 15 firefighters on scene, Kocher said the fire department is always looking for volunteers. "Many hands make light work," he noted.
Contact the fire hall or a firefighter for more information.
