harsens island yacht club fire

Old Club plans rebuild after six cottages destroyed in Harsens Island fire

A representative of the Old Club said they plan to rebuild after a fire tore through six seasonal cottages Wednesday afternoon, leaving them a total loss at the southernmost edge of Harsens Island.

But how and when, she said, depends on the result of the investigation into the blaze that’s now underway.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families that lost their homes,” Old Club General Manager Wendy Anglin told the Times Herald Thursday. “We’re just so happy that no one was hurt.”

The call for the fire originally came shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday before Clay Township firefighters and those from several other agencies responded. Although the blaze along the cottage docks was extinguished within a few hours, crews remained on scene into the early evening hours with Clay Fire Chief George Rose recalling his arrival home around 8 p.m.

Late Wednesday, Rose said he couldn't put a number on it but speculated the damage was likely "in the millions."

"They were built back in the 1800s," the chief said of structures around the Old Club. "They're very old cottages out here. They're summer residents. Fall time, everybody goes home. Springtime, everybody moves out here and enjoys the area."

By Thursday afternoon, Rose was with fire investigators looking into the incident.

There were reports of crews working on the Old Club property nearby, and large cranes could be scene overhead Wednesday from the water. However, Rose said it was still too soon to speculate how the fire began or if the work on site was related.

“I believe somebody was working in that area, but I’m not sure exactly what they’re working on — on the dock or something (else),” he said. “(We are) still trying to get that information.”

Regardless of its origin, Rose said on Wednesday they believed the wind was a factor in how fast the fire spread.

Rose said getting water to the blaze was "a little bit of a challenge," with the nearest hydrant three miles away, though they were able to utilize several fireboats and surrounding water. The Clay Township Fire Department has one facility with a truck and engine on the island; other apparatuses were transported by ferry Wednesday.

Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson, who also lives on Harsens Island, said the Old Club is well-known among area residents, notably attracting antique boaters and regular members of the club.

“Everybody’s going to be sad. The six structures on the boardwalk are historic, to say the least. The Old Club itself has been there for 150 years," he said. "It’s definitely a landmark for boaters. When you come up the South Channel from Lake St. Clair, everyone sees the boardwalk and the beautiful colors.”

Old Club aims to bring site 'back to its historic charm'

In a statement Wednesday night, representatives from the Old Club said it was "devastated to see the most iconic and historic gems of Harsens Island, the candy-colored boardwalk cottages that have stretched to the tip of the island for decades, succumb to destruction by fire."

"The board of directors (is) securing a professional team of environmental specialists to advise on clean up and mitigate any environmental impact of this disaster," the statement read. "We are also engaging engineering expertise to begin rehabilitation of the site. Six housing structures of historic significance that have long been family cottages were lost today, but we intend to restore the property back to its historic charm. The Old Club celebrated its 150 Year Anniversary last season and this unfortunate setback, while heartbreaking, will not deter us from continuing a century and a half of tradition."

According to its website, the Old Club has a decades-old history of bringing families and boaters to the island. It was founded in the late 19th century following the formation of a hunting and fishing club by a group of Detroit sportsmen, and by 1940, the Old Club was reachable by car when a bridge connecting the property to Harsens Island was completed. The club was also reportedly a stop for passengers of the Great Lakes Steamer, the Tashmoo, on its route between Detroit and Port Huron.

Before the sun went down Wednesday, it was difficult to see any remnants of the remaining structures following the fire.

Rose said that's because much of it wound up in the water.

“The homes are built basically over stilts. They sit over the water, they’re not on the property," he said. "That’s the way they built them. If you look, there’s quite a few structures on the island that have that foundation.”

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.

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Firefighters knock out blaze on Harsens Island

The fire that engulfed around six structures at the Old Club property on Harsens Island is out after crews from multiple jurisdictions responded Wednesday afternoon.

The fire was called in at 12:41 p.m.

Although the fire was extinguished within a couple of hours, Clay Township authorities reported hotspots were still being put out between 3 and 4 p.m. Some crews remained on scene after 6 p.m.

“It’s still under investigation," said Clay Fire Chief George Rose. "... I know there were some workers down here, working on one of the structures, so we’re going to check into that. We’re not sure what the cause was that started the fire at this time.”

Rose said their department got help at the scene from what he called "the south water crew," also including fire crews from Algonac, Ira Township, and Marine City, as well as additional support from St. Clair Fire, Chesterfield Fire, and Richmond Fire.

The response included a few fireboats, officials said.

Rose said there were no injuries as a result of the fire.

He said he believed “the wind kind of contributed to the factor of" how the fire spread between five or six structures.

According to the St. Clair County register of deeds, the property in the area affected is owned by the Old Club, which is currently closed for the season. It stretches down the southernmost end of Harsens Island along the St. Clair River and Big Muscamoot Bay.

A Clay Township police vehicle was at the Old Club entrance, 9900 S. Channel Drive, turning southbound traffic away from the area, shortly after 2 p.m.

Clay Township Police Chief Mike Koach said authorities intially closed the area because some sections of the property are narrow and connected only by small bridges, and with all the fire apparatuses on the scene, they were looking to prevent bottlenecks.

Harsens Island resident Janice Reha went to the Old Club site earlier Wednesday after she saw the smoke, arriving briefly before some authorities.

"They were huge," she said of the flames. "And billowing and billowing smoke. At first, I thought it was the phragmites burning."

A private resort, Reha said the site was known for being very nice. She echoed the comments on the fire on social media, calling it a tragedy.

According to its website, the Old Club has a decades-old history of bringing families and boaters to the island. It was founded in the late 19th century following the formation of a hunting and fishing club by a group of Detroit sportsmen, and by 1940, the Old Club was reachable by car when a bridge connecting the property to Harsens Island was completed. The club was also reportedly a stop for passengers of the Great Lakes Steamer, the Tashmoo, on its route between Detroit and Port Huron.

Representatives of the Old Club couldn't be immediately reached on Wednesday.

Reporter McKenna Golat contributed to this report.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Multiple departments battling fires on Harsens Island

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VIDEO: Crews battle massive fire at homes on Harsens Island

(WXYZ) — Crews battled a massive fire at several homes on Harsens Island in Lake St. Clair Wednesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Michael Krust

The police chief tells 7 Action News that six homes were destroyed. Cleanup efforts are underway.

Chopper 7 was over Lake St. Clair earlier. Check out the video below:

The homes appeared to be part of The Old Club.

According to the website, The Old Club is a resort and yacht club on the island, but it does not appear the fire affected the clubhouse, only cottages on the end of the island.

Video courtesy Michael Krust

Here are some images taken from the sky:

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Fire engulfs the Old Club on Harsens Island

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• Car insurance
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• GameChannel
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Crews battle massive fire at homes on Harsens Island

Crews battled a massive fire at several homes on Harsens Island in Lake St. Clair Wednesday afternoon.

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Six Cottages At The Old Club On Harsens Island Destroyed By Fire

A tragedy strikes the local community of Harsens Island in Clay Township, with the destruction of six cottages located on the property of The Old Club. 

On Wednesday, March 8th, a fire broke out which caused the destruction of six cottages located on the property. The homes are typically used as a summer vacation for those visiting the area.

There is currently no cause for the fire, as it is still undergoing investigation. There are currently no reported injuries in the incident and the Board of Directors are securing a professional team of environmental specialists to advise on cleanup to lessen the environmental impact of the blaze. 

The Old Club celebrated its 150th Year Anniversary last season, but the owners say they won’t let this setback deter them from continuing a century and a half of tradition.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

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Sad Breaking Late News – Old Club On Harsen’s Island Fire

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Many of you who are regular readers no doubt know about the Old Club on Harsens Island near Algonac. This club has very deep roots in the Chris Craft universe, and there are countless stories of the Smith’s and other industrial giants of the day playing cards and taking time off there. The Firestones, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford to name drop. It’s a very special simple place, and every year opens its doors for the Algonac Gang to park and enjoy a wonderful breakfast. The coolest part of the club is that its on an island, and you need to get there by boat. Or a car, but need to ferry over to the island.

Chris Smith gave some wonderful talks there.

Now we are not going to talk about the fire, because we don’t have photos, they belong to others, but if you just google Old Club Fire, the internet is rich with images. Ugh. Sad, so very sad. This place is home to a many a photo taken for the old Chris Craft, and hopefully the homes will be rebuilt. The fire destroyed 6 homes, and two have extensive damage. No report on the club house.  Here is the story in the Detroit News

Sad to hear.

What a devastating loss. I had dinner tonight with a friend who lives on the island. She reported that the club house is ok.

What a shame. My wife and I still remember those houses.

The main club house is fine. The last six homes to the south were destroyed. So sad.

Just saw this., Very sad.. My sympathies to the people who lost their summer places. Also to the owners of the Old Club. A lot of memories went up in smoke.

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Crews battle massive fire at historic yacht club on Harsens Island

, Local 4 viewer Alex

Six houses at the historic Old Club on Harsens Island caught fire on Wednesday. Harsens Island is located on the St. Clair River, and The Old Club has been a st

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The Old Club

It's an amazing summer getaway

The Old Club is an exclusive private island resort and yacht club surrounded by the pristine, freshwater of the Great Lakes delta known as the St. Clair Flats. The club was originally founded in 1872 as a hunting and fishing club later being renamed The Old Club in 1902.

We are located on Harsens Island in Michigan. Surrounded by the beautiful Saint Clair River and Muscamoot Bay.

About The Old Club

The club is a smaller private club with around 150 members and their family which allows staff to get to know each and every member we have unlike some of the larger clubs. On our property, we have three harbors, two kitchens, four dining areas, the 'Ritz' hotel, three clay tennis courts, an Olympic sized pool and hot tub, nine-hole par-three golf course, as well as several member cottages, lodges, and condos.

The club is an exclusive yacht club that offers great amenities to both staff and members alike. Management (as well as club members) are dedicated to the growth of our staff and the advancement of current employees. We offer free room and board, free meals (2 per day) as well as access to the many amenities on certain days, beautiful atmosphere, cross-training/ability to grow and staff appreciation events

Each week at the club is like a new adventure. Every weekend we have a different theme and live entertainment in our dining room, from fun costume, themed country-western weekend, to family-oriented Fourth of July where we have a parade, turtle races, fireworks display, as well as many other family-themed events, to our formal Commodores ball. 

The Old Club is seasonal and is open May - October. 

The Employee Experience

The Old Club is truly a family-oriented club in every way including with the staff. Our staff members make life long friends while spending their summers at the club. Employee satisfaction is one of our top priorities at The Old Club. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

• Proper training, so that you can do your job well.
• Recognition, appreciation, and respect for what you do.
• Reasonable and competitive compensation for your efforts as well as the finest working conditions.
• Above all, continuous two-way communication with you.

Ideal Candidate

Hard working, dedicated, great customer service skills, as well as the ability to give all members and guests the best possible experience while enjoying the club. Someone not only looking for an amazing summer opportunity in a beautiful location also someone wanting to expand and share their knowledge in hospitality with those around them. All departments at The Old Club work closely together and because of that we have an amazing team mentality and all departments are treated as an equal member of The Old Club team. It would also be ideal to have previous experience in the hospitality field in the department one wishes to apply for.

Room and Board

Our housing is offered free of charge, there is a deposit of $50 a week taken from your paycheck and returned in full at the conclusion of the season if you respect the housing rules. Housing is shared and most rooms are double occupants. Everyone has access to the kitchen, washer and dryer, bedding, as well as mini-fridges in all rooms. We offer two free meals a day for all employees on the property on days the kitchen is open.

Employee Perks

Wages depend on experience as well as specific job. Paychecks are received weekly on Friday and direct deposit is available. 

The club offers great amenities to both staff and members alike.

• Olympic Size Heated Pool & Jacuzzi
• Three Clay Tennis Courts
• Par Three, Nine Hole Executive Golf Course

Getting Here and Getting Around

The club is accessed by ferry. We encourage people to bring their vehicles for easy access to explore the island as well as the nearby mainland. However, if you do not have a vehicle housing is located on the property. 

While not working many members of our staff enjoy fishing, hiking, kayaking, photography, and some of the most amazing sunsets around.  

How to Apply

Resumes can be sent to [email protected]

Contact The Old Club

• Magen Smalley
• [email protected]
• www.theoldclub.com

South Channel Yacht Club

586-557-7729, s.c.y.c. is the smart boaters choice, welcome to south channel yacht club.

Welcome to S.C.Y.C.

• Plan your rendezvous with us and enjoy Harsens Island.
• Bring your dinghy's or jet ski and park it in your slip for free.
• Call early for rates and availability. Don't miss out on a fun weekend!!!
• Restrooms, Showers, Ice, Recreation
• Area, Picnic Tables, Dog Walk,
• Water (non-potable only), Pump Out
• 30 Amp Service, Minimum Depth 6 ft.
• 20 Transient Slips

Everyone Is Welcome

• Plan for next season
• Boat slips available now!
• Still the best value on lake St. Clair