More than 30 firefighters were called to a disused workingmen's club in Kendray after it caught fire early on Tuesday.
Farm Road WMC went up in flames at about 12.30am and crews from Barnsley, Tankersley, Cudworth and Dearne were still damping down the fire at 10.30am.
It is not known where in the building or how the fire started, but it took hold of the first floor and the roof space and firefighters used jets and hose reels to stop it spreading to neighbouring properties.
The fire has caused structural damage and half of the building has collapsed.
Ernest Lee, 64, lives in a nearby bungalow and used to be a member of the club.
He saw it ablaze at around midnight.
He said: "I'd been out for a drink at the Central WMC but and got home at about 11.15pm but I didn't see anyone knocking about.
"The next thing I knew, the fire brigade were here and the police came and told us to go inside and shut our windows.
"The smoke was very thick and dense and you could hear banging and crackling.
"Once it got going it went up pretty quick."
The cause is still being determined.
