Pictures and video: Arson attack on Shrewsbury bowling club leaves a 'mess'

The blaze happened at Greenfields Bowling Club on Falstaff Street and has caused part of the ceiling to collapse as well as severe smoke and water damage.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and information following the incident, which happened between 9pm on Tuesday and 12.15am yesterday.

Offenders are thought to have started a fire outside the rear of the property, which later spread to the inside.

Club members have today spoken of their shock at the incident, which they say has happened on the eve of the new bowling season.

Alison Hubbard, club treasurer, said: "It is quite a mess. Part of the ceiling has collapsed in the building, there is a lot of smoke and water damage, and the carpet is ruined.

"Some passers-by saw the flames and notified the fire brigade. It is serious enough as it is, but it is a good job they did otherwise it could have been a lot more serious.

"The fire definitely started outside the club around the back. A shed caught fire and then the fire went into the roof of the main building.

"The shed, which had a bit of equipment in there, has burnt down completely, and we have got a big hole in the roof, and the ceiling has come down in the club.

"We have just got to wait to see what can be done about it. We will know more once the loss adjuster has been out.

"The main thing is to make the club safer."

She added: "The bowling season is just about to start next week and we had got it all nice.

"We don't know whose done it, whether its children or adults.

"The club has been here 101 years and we had this building built in 1990.

"We had a fire in the gents toilet last year which was caused by an electrical fault. But we have not had anything like this."

Two fire crews were sent to the scene from Shrewsbury which used breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one covering jet to put out the blaze.

Guy Williams, incident commander based in Shrewsbury, said: "On arrival we saw smoke and flames issuing from the building itself.

"Crews were able to force their way into the property and attack the fire from the outside. We managed to confine the fire to the roof of the main building.

"We were there approximately three hours. There was quite a strong wind which increased the speed at which the fire developed.

"Their speedy intervention has helped save the majority of the building.

"It is really sad to see such as good bunch of people have this damaged inflicted upon them."

Anyone with information or who saw suspicious activity in the area at the time is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 9S of Wednesday April 1.

Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.