Fire strikes country club in Wayzata; 2 firefighters slightly hurt

Fire struck a country club Tuesday morning in Wayzata, and numerous departments responded to the scene and brought the blaze under control, according to authorities.

The fire was reported about 7:50 a.m. at Woodhill Country Club along Wayzata Boulevard, the Wayzata Fire Department reported.

Fire crews arrived and saw smoke coming from the back of the building, fire officials said. Firefighters entered the basement and found flames in the ceiling and walls that worked their way to the second level.

Firefighters were ordered more than two hours later to take a defensive approach to fighting the flames, according to emergency dispatch audio, signaling significant interior damage.

"Ceilings, walls and floors had to be removed to gain access to extinguish the fire," a Fire Department statement said.

The blaze was declared under control about 10:45 a.m., police said. Authorities say the fire's cause remains unknown.

A worker reporting for duty unlocked a door to the building, smelled smoke and called authorities, said Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich. The fire was located in a wing to the west of the club, which is closed in March for sprucing up, Klapprich said. The wing has office space on the ground floor and lockers in the basement, he said.

Police Chief Mike Risvold said fire crews from eight departments assisted Wayzata firefighters with knocking down the flames and smoke. The last of the crews left the scene by 2 p.m.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, were treated at a hospital and released, according to the Fire Department.

The private country club was founded in 1915 and sits near Hwy. 12, with Long Lake to the north and Browns Bay to the south. It offers golf, tennis, platform tennis, swimming and ice skating.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482