TWO fires at a cricket club have caused more than £40,000 worth of damage. The groundsman s building and the scorebox at Stevenage Cricket Club, on Ditchmore Lane, are thought to have been deliberately set on fire, causing extensive damage to the building
TWO fires at a cricket club have caused more than £40,000 worth of damage.
The groundsman's building and the scorebox at Stevenage Cricket Club, on Ditchmore Lane, are thought to have been deliberately set on fire, causing extensive damage to the buildings and equipment.
The two fires took place within two weeks of each other and the equipment destroyed includes four mowers, scarifiers used to prepare the wicket, cricket practice nets and hockey club goals.
Club chairman Richard Burling said of the first blaze: "The fire was dealt with quickly and efficiently by the fire brigade and we are very grateful to them.
"Their actions prevented the fire getting to the auto roller - our most valuable item.
"However, the full extent of the damage is now only being realised as smoke damage spread extensively to other areas and the auto roller will have to be extensively serviced.
"The problem this has caused the club is immense.
"The importance of making sure future security is radically upgraded cannot be lost.
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