Arson attack on cricket pavilion

MINDLESS" vandals tried to burn down a cricket pavilion in Godmanchester - the third bout of vandalism at the club in the past year.

Intruders forced their way into Godmanchester Cricket Club pavilion at Fox Grove, Godmanchester, on Thursday morning.

Once inside, they put flammable materials in the oven before turning it on, causing a slow-burning fire.

The intruders also placed aerosol cans in the microwave and turned it on.

Luckily a member of staff at the club discovered smoke coming from the pavilion just before 7am and called the fire brigade.

A club spokesman told The Hunts Post that the damage at the pavilion was minimal, but only because the fire had been discovered quickly.

Godmanchester Cricket Club chairman, James Leet, described the attack as "mindless vandalism".

"This is the third time we have been subject to attack inside a year. The building is kept secure but if someone really wants to break in then they are going to.

"It is a community cricket club and we don't want to turn it into Fort Knox."

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire fire service said: "Putting aerosol cans in a microwave is extremely dangerous, not only for firefighters attending the scene but also for the people doing it, as the aerosol and microwave could explode causing serious and even fatal injuries."

Club captain Bevis Moynan added he was dumbfounded that anyone would want to attack a community cricket club.

On the field, Godmanchester are on course for their best-ever finish in the East Anglian Premier League, currently lying in second position.

n The pavilion was back in use for Godmanchester's crucial weekend victory against Fakenham. Match report - Page 143.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information on the attack should contact Cambridgeshire police on 0845 4564564 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.