Dudley community centre suffers tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage in arson attack - forcing fun day cancellation
A community centre near Dudley suffered tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage in an arson attack that forced the cancellation of a children's fun day.
The blaze at Fens Pool Community Centre on Tuesday morning (August 19) resulted in a gaping hole in the roof and severe smoke damage at the single-storey brick building off Tennyson Street off Chapel Street in Pensnett, near Brierley Hill.
Firefighters arrived at the premises shortly after 4.30am following reports of flames and smoke spewing at the site which was due to host its popular summer fun fair later in the day.
Devastated event organisers and residents rushed to the scene as the drama unfolded, but could only watch on as fire crews tackled the flames at the activity hub which is owned and operated by the Fens Pool Voluntary Association.
The association's treasurer T-Jay Spittle said: "The fire service advised us that they were pretty sure it was arson. Our vice-chairperson Tracey Bowen was alerted to it by her phone. When she checked it, she saw that the centre's fire alarm had been triggered. She saw that the place was ablaze.
"It started some point after 4am and took hold of the timbers in the roof cavity. The fire never reached the ground, but it took a lot of our assets with it. The fire crew arrived and started to fight it immediately.
"I was told the building was blazing. We've lost our supplies and there's a massive hole in the roof. They've had to rip it down to prevent it from collapsing. Thankfully they were able to put it out, but there is extensive damage. Everything is absolutely wrecked and the roof will need replacing.
"Hopefully we won't have to knock it down altogether. Everyone is sad because its not just about the impact on the building, it's the emotional impact on the people and the volunteers who have poured everything into it over the last three years.
