A huge fire has broken out at a historic clubhouse just outside London, it has been confirmed.
Essex County Fire & Rescue service stated West Essex Golf Club in Waltham Abbey has seen its entire two-storey clubhouse affected by the blaze, which is believed to have begun early on Monday afternoon.
The fire service and members have confirmed to Golf Monthly that everyone was accounted for and no one was injured, with all staff safe outside of the building.
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A local member told Golf Monthly that the plumes of thick, black smoke were visible from miles away on what continues to be a bitterly cold day in England.
Shortly after being called to the scene around 2:40pm GMT, around 60 firefighters from the Essex service, London Fire Brigade and Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service were tackling the blaze in the building.
The clubhouse was opened on May 14, 1989 by Sir Michael Bonallack OBE – widely considered Britain’s greatest amateur golfer who was from nearby Chigwell – and overlooks the 16th and 18th greens just below.
Meanwhile, the lounge and bar areas offered views of the Epping Forest and the city of London in the distance.
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Our beautiful West Essex Golf Club has burnt to the ground today. Absolutely devastating for our local community and the residents of Sewardstonebury. Thank God no one was hurt. 💔@eppingforestdc pic.twitter.com/tISMSrHM3vJanuary 5, 2026
