Country Club Fire Likely Not Arson: West Hartford FD

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local fire investigators said Tuesday afternoon that the weekend's blazes that destroyed a building at a prominent country club in town were likely not caused by arson.

The West Hartford Fire Department said the two structure fires at the Wampanoag Country Club, 60 Wampanoag Drive, last weekend were not "intentionally set."

According to a statement released by WHFD Chief Greg Pries, fire investigators "do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public."

Priest also said the reported second fire on Sunday was, actually, "a continuation" of the initial April 20 blaze.

“These are preliminary findings shared for the benefit of public interest, transparency, and
timely information," Priest said in the statement.

He said, however, fire officials are still conducting "full investigations of each fire," adding those "will take a significant amount of time and there is additional evidence that must be considered before arriving at any final conclusions."

Priest said the continuation of any fire after it was believed to be extinguished is cause for concern.

"Our full investigation will seek to confirm the circumstances and conditions that led to a continuation of the fire, if that is in fact what occurred,” he said.

The WHFD has requested the CT State Police Fire Explosion and Investigation (FEIU) to respond along with the West Hartford Police Detective Division, to assist the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s office, Priest said.

From April 21: 'West Hartford Country Club Building Destroyed After Second Fire: WHFD'

From April 20: 'Country Club In West Hartford Damaged By Fire: WHFD'