Waegwoltic Club burns in south-end Halifax

A historic athletic club in south-end Halifax is on fire.

The Waegwoltic Club is engulfed in flames and firefighters can’t get in the building, Halifax Regional Fire told CTV News.

Halifax deputy fire chief David Meldrum said Thursday evening that crews initially entered the building in an “offensive” position to try and put out the fire, but the fire grew very large and crews have been forced to fight the fire from outside.

Meldrum said there “appears to be very, very, very significant damage” at the historic club. He said efforts were made to retrieve historic picture and items from the club to be saved from the fire.

“The Waegwoltic Club will receive very significant structural damage, perhaps destruction,” Meldrum said.

Photos submitted to CTV News show the roof of the building has been destroyed.

The fire was first reported around 1:30 p.m. Thursday and crews continue to fight the fire at 5:30 p.m.

The Waegwoltic is a members-only club on Coburg Street that first opened in 1908. It has about a dozen tennis courts, several pools and a sailing school.

Meldrum said there was a camp taking place at the time of the fire, but everyone was safely evacuated.