Archive - Wednesday, 5 September 2001


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Blaze wrecks pavilion

FLAMES ripped through the roof of the pavilion in Oldends Lane, Stonehouse on Saturday evening causing over 50,000 of damage.

Arsonists started the fire in a portable toilet outside the new pavilion, which is less than two years old.

It spread to the eves of the building itself, seriously damaging the roof and electrics that ran through the loft space.

Fire fighters from Stroud were called at 5.45pm and battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control.

Once the smoke cleared the full extent of the damage became apparent - the pavilion was out of action for the foreseeable future.

"It is arson, there's no question about it," said furious town councillor Chris Brine.

"Now the whole community has been disadvantaged by this prank." The pavilion is used by sports clubs making use of the field and it also houses a special meeting room used by Stonehouse Town Council and various community groups.

"If anybody wanted to use the field for whatever purpose that building is there," said Cllr Brine.

"Now for the sake of some silly game it is completely ruined for the entire football season."

He estimated it would be at least three months until the damage was fully repaired and with autumn just around the corner the weather could not be relied upon for building work.