Sports centre wrecked in blaze
A West Midlands sports venue was destroyed today in a suspected arson attack which caused up to £1million damage.A major Wyre Forest sporting venue used by athletes, footballers and hockey players was destroyed today in a suspected arson attack which has caused up to £1 million worth of damage. Flames could be seen for several miles as 25 firefighters battled the devastating blaze at Stourport Sports and Leisure Club. The fire was started at around 2.50am in a wheelie bin containing laundry which had been put out for collection. It ripped through 90 per cent of the building, which is used by schools and clubs from across the Wyre Forest and will now be out of action for months. Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester fire service, said: "The blaze spread extremely quickly to the roof and much of the building. "Fortunately no-one was injured. Fire experts are investigating but it is believed to have started from the laundry bin." Read the full story in the Express & Star
A major Wyre Forest sporting venue used by athletes, footballers and hockey players was destroyed today in a suspected arson attack which has caused up to £1 million worth of damage.
Flames could be seen for several miles as 25 firefighters battled the devastating blaze at Stourport Sports and Leisure Club.
The fire was started at around 2.50am in a wheelie bin containing laundry which had been put out for collection.
It ripped through 90 per cent of the building, which is used by schools and clubs from across the Wyre Forest and will now be out of action for months.
Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester fire service, said: "The blaze spread extremely quickly to the roof and much of the building.
"Fortunately no-one was injured. Fire experts are investigating but it is believed to have started from the laundry bin."The club is jointly run by Worcestershire County Council, Wyre Forest District Council, local clubs and Stourport High School.
It is the home of Stourport and Kidderminster Athletic Clubs and Stourport Hockey Club, and also used by the school and 30 football clubs.
Andrew Dickens, head of the district council's leisure services said rebuilding could cost between £750,000 and £1 million.
West Mercia Police spokeswoman Lynne Masters confirmed the blaze was being treated as suspicious.
l Three people have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire.
By Sue Smith
