Firefighters tackle blaze at Bridgnorth football ground

Two fire crews, including the incident support unit, were called to the Crown Meadow ground – home to AFC Bridgnorth, just before 9.15pm yesterday.

Half of a wooden football stand, measuring 40m by 5m, was affected along with 50 metres of conifer hedging.

Bridgnorth Fire Station has confirmed the blaze, which was brought quickly under control, was started by fireworks and it is unclear whether it was malicious or accidental.

Officials at the club, all of whom are volunteers, say they have had problems with youth starting fires and vandalising the ground in the past and have spoken of their frustration about the latest incident.

Mark Weale, club chairman, said: "We had calls to say the club was on fire and we panicked when we first heard.

"When we got down there we found it was an area of trees at the back of the stand at the side of the pitch. The fire brigade got there within three to four minutes.

"It's caused damage to the back of the stand, although it's metal so it's survived.

"The damage appears to be some charring but the seating it okay.

"There's a lot of youngsters that use the skate park near the ground.

"We've had problems with them before and last night I'm told they were letting off fireworks. I don't know if it was accidental or not, but going out during lockdown to let off fireworks, it's reckless.

"We are all volunteers and it takes up a lot of our time. It's extremely frustrating and makes you very angry."

During the summer the site was a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Members of AFC Bridgnorth said teenagers had been trespassing and using dugouts to take drugs, and youths had also reportedly been starting fires and smashing spectator seating on the main stand.

Firefighters used a hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the flames at the football ground.

A message posted on Bridgnorth Fire Station's Facebook page said on arrival crews were faced with a "rapidly developing fire" involving the large conifer hedgerow and a single tier football stand.

It said: "The incident commander requested an additional appliance to attend along with an officer.

"Due to the area being very smoky two firefighters in breathing apparatus were deployed using a hose reel jet, along with other firefighters using the high pressure fogging system from our 4x4 vehicle.

"The fire was quickly brought under control, and extinguished.

"The fire was started by fireworks. Unfortunately it’s not clear if this was done accidentally or maliciously.

"Our colleagues from West Mercia Police attended and investigations are ongoing. If you have any information please contact 101.

"Thank you to the football club volunteers who attended to ensure we had a supply of drinks and welfare support."