A fire that started on a Southern California fairway is a reminder that a golf course's responsibilities for ensuring the safety of others might not end at the ropes.A lawsuit filed Oct. 10 in the San Diego Superior Court blames the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad for a fire that burned about 600 acres, destroyed 25 structures and damaged 26 more.
Fire officials determined that the May 14 blaze, dubbed the Poinsettia Fire, started on the La Costa's No. 7 fairway, though the cause of the fire was not determined. According to reports, the fire destroyed 18 condominiums, five houses and two commercial structures. Another four houses and 26 homes were damaged in the incident that is blamed for causing $12 million in private property damage. It also is estimated that it will cost another $8 million to restore native habitat destroyed by the fire.
The lawsuit blames the golf course for not taking the necessary steps to prevent fires when high winds and a heat wave that sparked nine wildfires throughout the rain-starved San Diego area this year.
Plaintiffs, including homeowners, business owners and renters, are seeking unspecified damages for the loss of property, businesses, mental anguish, cost of temporary housing and unspecified injuries. A homeless man also was killed in the blaze.
The attorney for the plaintiffs alleges that a spark from a gas-powered utility vehicle might have started the fire.