Flames gut clubhouse at Sugar Ski and Country Club on Sugar Mountain

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — Firefighters in Avery County are trying to figure out what caused a large fire at the top of Sugar Mountain early Thursday morning.

Officials told Channel 9 that an administrative building at the Sugar Ski and Country Club caught fire before 7 a.m.

Sugar Ski and Country Club is a year-round condominium resort located on top of Sugar Mountain.

A worker called for help after spotting the fire. He said there was little else he could do.

"There was no way I could go inside. I couldn't even get through the front door. It was so hot and covered with fire,” employee Hobert Turbyfill said.

A viewer sent Channel 9 video and photos of the flames (Click PLAY to watch).

The fire was so intense that part of the building's roof collapsed.

Some of the guests, including Andrew Collins and his friends from Macon, GA., were awakened and told to get out after the flames broke out.

"(They) told us there was a fire right above you and I was expecting a microwave fire and then I walked outside and saw that and was really shocked,” Collins said.

The fire destroyed the administrative offices but firefighters were able to keep it from spreading to any condos. The offices are used to rent out dozens of condo units near the top of the mountain.

There was also a ski rental business inside the building and Channel 9 could see firefighters trying to salvage that equipment.

Fire investigators say it may be after Christmas before they determine a cause.

Melissa Flowers said the reservations for next week were backed up for those coming to ski over the holidays.

"All of the units are safe and sound and we plan on moving forward with the rentals and don't see any reason why people can't come up here and stay," Flowers said.

The fire did not impact the Sugar Mountain Ski resort, which remained open for business.

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