Stubborn fire heavily damages clubhouse at Juniper Preserve (formerly Pronghorn) Resort

(Update: Adding video, initial details from fire official)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A stubborn fire broke out and caused significant damge Friday evening at a large clubhouse building at the Juniper Preserve (formerly Pronghorn) Resort between Bend and Redmond, bringing firefighting crews from both cities and Sunriver.

The fire was reported just before 5:30 p.m. in the facility at 65765 Pronghorn Club Drive beside the golf course designed by Tom Fazio, Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney said.

Staff quickly evacuated guests from the building before crews arrived, he said.

Smoke was coming from the building’s roof when the first crews arrived. Mooney said crews quickly attacked the fire but had to quickly evacuate the building when a chimney collapsed onto the roof and flames extended into void areas in the roof.

The building’s fire sprinklers helped keep the blaze in check until crews were able to access the void areas in the roof.

Late Friday night, Mooney said investigators were on scene conducting interviews to analyze the fire and determine its cause.

There were few official details, but initial scanner reports indicated all workers and guests had been evacuated. At least one sprinkler had activated as the fire was reported in an exterior wall, as well as in the attic. The top portion of a chimney reportedly toppled onto the roof about an hour into the firefighting effort.

Deschutes County property tax records indicate the structure was built in 2005 and encompasses some 55,000 square feet on nearly three acres.