Willow Dell Beach Club Fire Remains A Mystery

Willow Dell Beach Club was once again the subject of investigation by the South Kingstown Police Department over the weekend, this time for vandalism.  According to an incident report filed Saturday morning, police responded to 156 Cards Pond Road for complaint of vandalism to the building, the subject of an on-going arson investigation.

The newest report of damage, broken light bulbs and scattered debris, is the second incident at the club in just over a week’s time. On July 8, 2011 fire heavily damaged the western portion of the pavilion and structure.

According to Detective Sergeant Joel Ewing-Chow, the cause of the fire is presently listed as arson in the 2^nd degree, setting fire to an unoccupied dwelling. The State Fire Marshal’s office and South Kingstown Police department are working the investigation.

“This was in our opinion an intentionally set fire,” stated the detective in speaking with Patch. “We hope that anyone with information will contact the South Kingstown Police department or the state fire marshal’s office.”

Ewing-Chow cautioned that investigators have not received any credible leads at this point. “That’s why we put it out to the media and the public to assist us with our investigation.”

Offering a reward of up to $5,000, the State Fire Marshal’s office has posted signs at key locations around Matunuck in hopes of gaining community input and garnering information.

Club officials and long-standing members have been reticent to provide any comment, referring the majority of inquiries to the state fire marshal’s office or police department.

Peter Conopask, spokeperson for Willow Dell has not returned phone calls as of this writing.