Police treating cricket club fire as arson attack

A fire which completely destroyed a thatched sports club pavilion was started deliberately, police said.

Suffolk Fire Service was called to the blaze at Bures & District Cricket Club in Bures St Mary, Suffolk, at about 23:40 BST on Tuesday.

Appliances were sent from Sudbury, Nayland, Long Melford, Hadleigh, Haverhill and Ixworth, with vehicles joining from Colchester and Halstead in Essex.

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: "The building has been completely destroyed by the fire and police are treating the incident as arson."

A water supply was established from the nearby River Stour and four 45mm (1.7in) jets were used, alongside four main and two hose reel jets.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, the roof and building structure completely collapsed.

The cricket club said it was "truly devastated and heartbroken" about the incident, and had recently been fundraising to rethatch the roof of its pavilion, with works due to start in March.

Chris Crace, club chairman, said the building was "huge to the community, to the club and the local surroundings".

"It was a very important part of lots of peoples lives," he added.

The fire service said the blaze was under control by 03:26 on Wednesday.

It added that no casualties had been reported, and one crew remained at the scene to monitor the site.

South Suffolk's Conservative MP James Cartlidge, who was previously a Babergh district councillor for Bures, described the fire as "very sad news".

"It's a lovely village and the sports field is integral to its sense of community," he said.

"Sending my thoughts and best wishes to all affected."

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