Fire at Naples Estates clubhouse creates major setback, disappointment

Seventeen months ago the Naples Estates clubhouse was so severely damaged by Hurricane Irma it was condemned.

Wednesday, a fire ravaged the inside, and neighbors say it’s just heartbreaking.

The community has been through a lot over the past year and a half, and the club house was a sign of progress the residents were looking forward to.

It’s been nearly two years since they’ve had one and now the damage from the fire is expected to push any opening back.

Mike Delandy of Naples Estates couldn’t believe his community’s clubhouse caught fire, “I was in the house and my neighbors were like come outside the clubhouse is on fire and I said yeah so I walk to the end of the driveway and I said holy crap it is it was smoking really good when it first started.”

It took nearly 40 firefighters to put out the blaze.

“It’s a new building there is no sprinklers that are turned on because it is under construction and then you’re dealing with the hazards of the construction things that may be in our way to gain access,” said Wayne Martin, deputy chief of Greater Naples Fire Rescue.

The damage was contained to the inside and there wasn’t any injuries, but some in this community say this latest bump in the road will only make them stronger.

Resident Dave Newkirk siad, “It is what it is mother nature and god like to put obstacles in front and see if you can overcome it.”

The new clubhouse was expected to open in March, kicking things off with a concert celebration. Now, management is not sure when that’ll happen.

“We’re all looking forward to it, DeLaney Said. “It had a big pool, a weight room, a pool room. All kinds of stuff. Now this is probably going to set us back.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.