Stafford Rugby Club fire started deliberately, police believe
A fire which ripped through the former Stafford Rugby Club was started deliberately, police believe.
Fire crews were called to the scene off Newport Road in the Castlefields area at about 2.30pm yesterday.
The blaze ripped through the roof of the building and plumes of smoke were blown into the air.
A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police said: "The fire at the former Stafford Rugby Club is believed to have been started deliberately.
"Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to get in touch by calling 101, or report online quoting incident number 379 of 8 September."
Stafford Rugby Club relocated from its ground near Newport Road to the new site at Blackberry Lane, near Doxey Marshes, after securing planning permission for the move in 2016.
Residents living near the new ground fought against the plans and even took their battle to the High Court.