Arson at Kidderminster football club (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Arson at Kidderminster football club

3:53pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Local By Cadisha Brown

ARSONISTS have destroyed football equipment belonging to a Kidderminster club which helps get kids off the streets after callously burning down one of its mobile buildings.

The yobs have ruined goals, nets, footballs and training kit belonging to Mostyn Rangers after setting fire to two portable toilets and changing rooms this morning.

Planned matches for Saturday and Sunday will still go ahead, however, but bosses estimate the cost of the blaze to be more than £1,000.

The fire was discovered shortly before 11.50am and spread from the toilets on playing fields off Zortech Avenue to the changing rooms, where the equipment was stored.

Firefighters from Kidderminster and Stourport were called to the scene and spent two hours tackling the blaze using hose reels.

Steve Fox, club secretary, said: “Everybody at the club is gutted because we do it for the kids. We do a lot of football for kids to help get them off the streets. We don’t know why it’s happened.

“The matches will still go ahead because we have got alternatives. It’s just having changing facilities. The annoying part is that we’ve got to replace everything.”

He added the club was used by youngsters aged between eight and 18 and by men on Sundays.

“The kids are going to be upset to see that it’s burnt down,” said Mr Fox. “It’s just upsetting for everybody.”

PC Dan Southan, of West Mercia Police, said officers were investigating it as arson and wanted to hear about any sightings of people near the facilities.

He added: “The grounds can be seen from Burlish Top and any golfers on the adjoining course may also have noticed if anyone was there at the time.

“A substantial amount of damage has been caused so if you saw or know anything please come forward and tell us.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Southan on 101 quoting 214-S-160113.