NORTH SMITHFIELD – A fire that destroyed the century old building that housed the Sayles Hill Rod & Gun Club early Tuesday morning has been ruled accidental and was likely caused by a cigarette, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
The fire, which had already engulfed the structure at 71 Sayles Hill Road when firefighters arrived at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, would be reduced to ashes, with only a chimney remaining by the time it was fully extinguished. No one was injured in the blaze, and the club’s outdoor pavilion and shooting range were reportedly not impacted.
Incorporated in 1933, the members-only sports club has held numerous fundraisers and other community events over the years, also hosting private events including everything from family reunions, to holiday parties.
On Wednesday, member Robert Barker shared dozens of photos taken in recent years on the club’s unofficial Facebook page.
“It was more than a building,” noted Barker. “It was a part of the family. A friend you could always count on to be there for you. A refuge from the daily grind. To the members, it was a part of us. A legacy and a monument to the members who came before us.”
Matthew Touchette, a spokesperson for the State Fire Marshal’s office said Thursday that investigators determined that the fire started on the front deck of the building, most likely caused by a smoldering cigarette in an outdoor ashtray.
