Massive fire destroys clubhouse at senior living community in Montgomery County

NORTH WALES, Pa. - A clubhouse at the center of a 55 and over community in Montgomery County was completely engulfed in flames as firefighters battled the blaze early Wednesday morning.

The fire erupted inside the clubhouse of the Village of Neshaminy Falls in North Wales, which is home to nearly 900 residents.

Some of those residents were forced to evacuate as over 50 crews and nearly 100 firefighters worked to get the fire under control, starting around 5:30 a.m.

"Crews went in and tried for an interior fire attack, but the roof started to collapse so I pulled the companies out," said Bill Wiegman,Fire Chief Montgomery Township. "We were worried about the homes on the back side, so we put some ground monitors, hoses in place to protect those exposures- -and we went in for final extinguishing of the building."

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The clubhouse is described as the "artery" of the senior community, which includes at least 875 homes, a community center, pool, dining and dance rooms and main office.

Devastating aftermath showed walls being torn down, as most of the clubhouse appeared destroyed by the fire.

"It’s going to be an adjustment but I’m praying and I’m hoping that the community center across the street will open its arms up," said Diane Rutledge, resident. 

Luckily, the clubhouse was closed at the time, so no one was inside.

No injuries have been reported at this time, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.