MEMBERS of Ombersley and Doverdale Tennis Club have been left devastated after a fire, thought to be caused by an arson attack, destroyed their club house.
Police officers driving on the A449 at 2.30am this morning (Wednesday) spotted the smoke and went to investigate, finding the club house well alight.
Fire crews attended but, because of the severity of the blaze, all they could do was put it out, nothing could be saved.
The club house was built in 1997 and was extended about ten years ago – it included men’s and women’s changing rooms, a kitchen with catering equipment and a microwave, and a main room which was also used for functions. All of the equipment used by the club’s coach was also in there at the time.
Di Grove, the chairperson of Ombersley and Doverdale Tennis Club, said: “The police say arson is suspected but we will have to wait and see – if it is, I can’t understand why anyone would want to do this.
“It’s very upsetting that this has happened – we have built everything up over the years and the building had everything the club wanted and needed inside it.
“The club house is completed gutted – we have lost everything.
“It is going to take a lot of hard work and money to rebuild it and to get back to where we were.”
Ombersley and Doverdale Tennis Club has about 140 members and the court, which is free to the public to use, is also utilised by the school for tennis lessons.
Fortnuately no one was injured in the incident.
Insp Louise Wall, of Droitwich Town West and Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene to tackle the blaze.
“Once the fire service was able to make the site safe, officers were able to access the building and it is believed to have been started deliberately.”
A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said a call was received at 2.37am and one crew from Droitwich was sent to the scene.
They used water from a nearby hydrant to extinguish the blaze.
“If anyone knows anything about how this happened, could they please get in touch with the police,” the chairperson added.
Insp Wall urged anyone with any information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
