Fire sprinklers save Morgan Run Clubhouse in Rancho Santa Fe

On Monday, Sept. 1, at 8:06 p.m., firefighters from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District responded to a commercial structure fire at the Morgan Run Golf Club. Upon arrival at the main clubhouse they found fire sprinklers had been activated and were flowing water. The building was also filled with smoke.

The firefighters ensured the building was evacuated and then located the fire, which had been extinguished by two activated sprinkler heads in the attic space. Crews shut down the sprinkler system, ventilated smoke from the building, and then worked to remove water from the building’s interior. A wedding party was in progress at the time of the fire and was relocated to an exterior patio after the fire was confirmed to be out.

“Fire damage was minimal, but the water damage was fairly extensive,” said Battalion Chief Fred Cox. “However, without fire sprinklers this could have been a major fire. The fire was well established before sprinkler activation, and without them, it would have easily spread unchecked through a very large and open attic space before being detected.” Total dollar loss is undermined, but could exceed $10,000.

Crews remained on scene for about two-and-a-half hours performing salvage and overhaul work. Del Mar and Solana Beach Fire Departments assisted on the call. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire appears to be electrical in nature.