Sunset Ridge Golf Links on Cumberland Street in Westbrook is carrying on business as usual after the golf shop was severely damaged in a fire last Thursday.

The fire began around 11:30 p.m. and wasn’t extinguished until nearly 5 a.m. Friday morning.

Sunset Ridge Golf Links owner Jacqueline Edgecomb said on Tuesday that they’re in the process of developing an additional nine holes and had their plate full without the fire, but the fire won’t keep them from moving forward.

Westbrook Fire Chief Gary Littlefield said the fire was ruled an accident, sparked by a cigarette that fell through the slats on the porch.

Littlefield said there was a similar fire in April of 2006 at the same location, but it happened during the day with patrons present and was extinguished before the fire department arrived.

Littlefield estimated there was close to $500,000 in damages caused by Thursday’s fire.

A five hour fire caused severe damage at Sunset Ridge Golf Links on Cumberland Street in Westrbook on Thursday, Aug. 23, but business is going on as usual.Fire doesn’t deter golf club