Investigations are under way after a substantial gorse blaze at an historic golf club.
Investigations are under way after a substantial gorse blaze at an historic golf club.
Police and 12 fire crews attended the emergency at Southwold Golf Club, off York Road, while a men's golf tournanent was coming to an end.
The club and its grounds, dating back to 1884, were evacuated and no-one was injured.
Club general manager Gareth Jones said the blaze could potentially be treated as arson.
Fire crews were called to the scene at around 2.10pm and cordons were put up a distance around the blaze due to heavy smoke getting caught up in the wind.
A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue said no property had been placed at risk but the fire was challenging because of strong winds threatening to spread the flames across the town's common.
Mr Jones, who alerted the emergency services, said the 'substantial' fire spread from 10sqm to 200 metres and had damaged the first and fifth tee box and first fairway.
He said the blaze was the worst in the club's history and was only 50 yards from the 135-year-old wooden club house.
Firefighters are expected to remain on scene until tomorrow and some areas of the course are inaccessible.
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