Dozens Of Golf Carts Catch Fire At Melreese Golf Course

MIAMI, FL — Dozens of golf carts burst into flames and possible explosions were reported around the city-owned Melreese Country Club late Tuesday night. The property is the site of the proposed Miami Freedom Park soccer stadium and entertainment complex, which will become the home of David Beckham's Major League Soccer team if approved by voters in November.

Capt. Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue told Patch that the fires broke out around 10:30 p.m. The golf course is located near Miami International Airport at 1802 NW 37th Ave. Carroll estimated that 36 to 40 golf carts were damaged at the facility which is operated by an independent contractor.

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It was less than a week ago that a group led by Miami businessman Jorge Mas and soccer legend Beckham won a key vote by the Miami City Commission to place the proposed Freedom Park soccer complex on the ballot.

The golf course is home to Miami's popular First Tee youth golf program, which will have to move elsewhere if voters approve the soccer complex in a November referendum. Dozens of orange-shirted supporters of the golf program opposed the change last week at a special meeting and urged commmissioners to vote against the project.

Miami city officials released a statement earlier Tuesday in response to a lawsuit that challenged the legality of the city vote to creae the voter referendum.

"In the past we have often received charter lawsuits when we place items on the ballot," explained Miami City Attorney Victoria Méndez in the statement. "I am confident we will prove the city's process was properly followed as we have in the past."

Photo courtesy Miami Fire Rescue