A New Year's Day party at the Garden City Golf Club came to an abrupt end after fire quickly spread from the fireplace to the inside of the chimney, Garden City fire officials said.

The Garden City Fire Department received a phone call from the club around 8 p.m., reporting that the fire in the fireplace got out of control. The first Garden City unit to arrive on the scene was Headquarters Lieutenant James McLaughlin. Upon arrival he noticed heavy fire blowing out the chimney, making contact with the roof. He immediately relayed this information to Garden City Fire Chief Tom Foley, who was en route to the alarm. Chief Foley ordered the alarm to be re-transmitted to ensure adequate manpower. Firefighters quickly gained access to the roof using ground ladders and the fire department's ladder tower. Firefighters used a steel chain to lower a tool down the chimney to break up the flaming debris, a common procedure used while battling chimney fires. Multiple water cans were used to extinguish the fire and the blaze was confined to the chimney and the support surrounding it.

"Fire travels quickly through the older buildings in the village with wood frame construction. But because of the rapid response and action of the firefighters, a potential building fire was avoided," Chief Foley said.

Over 30 firefighters assisted in the effort; it took approximately 25 minutes to completely extinguish the blaze.

"It is extremely important that all residents make sure their chimneys are properly cleaned and serviced for this cold weather season, to avoid similar events," Chief Foley concluded.