POLICE confirmed this week that the blaze that has gutted the Red and Black Social Club at Tavistock AFC is now being treated as arson.

The fire was believed to have started around 3am last Thursday and spread from the changing rooms to the kitchen. The bar area is also badly damaged.

Det Con Wayne Thielmann, of Tavistock CID, appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

He said: 'Fire brigade investigators have examined the incident and I can now confirm it is being treated as a case of arson.

'We are currently reviewing CCTV images obtained from surrounding properties at the scene and carrying out local enquiries.'

He added that one of the coaches in the club car park was also broken into that night and a fire extinguisher stolen. 'This extinguisher has now been found and is undergoing forensic examination.'

Det Con Thielmann also said that on the night of the fire the social club had been broken into, with the changing room as the point of entry.

He appealed for anyone with any information to call him in confidence on 01822 813842 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Members of the sporting community in Tavistock say they are 'absolutely devasted', following the fire that virtually destroyed the social club at Langsford Park. It had only recently been revamped and the fire will be a huge setback to Tavistock AFC, known as the Lambs, and the wider sporting community in the town, who use the facilities for social functions and dinners.

Although the fire is thought to have started around 3am, because the site off Crowndale Road is relatively isolated, the alarm was not raised until around 4am.

An appliance from Tavistock Fire Station arrived on the scene at 4.15am and immediately called for assistance — by then the changing rooms were well alight.

A further appliance from Tavistock attended along with another from Yelverton. Altogether, 20 firefighters were involved in the incident and six sets of breathing apparatus were used.

Station manager Ken Anderson for Devon Fire and Rescue Service said they were carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire but were yet to make their findings known. Further investigations were being conducted by the insurers.

He praised the firefighters who he said did really well to stop the roof collapsing and the fire spreading to the bar area.

Mr Anderson added that such incidents illustrated the importance of smoke alarm detectors, to give the fastest possible warning.

The club will now meet insurers before deciding what to do next.

Tavistock AFC's treasurer Derek Pethick, who along with the late Sheila Fenner, did much to secure the present facilities at the club, said: 'It's just a nightmare. I've been involved for years and years, building the whole place from beginning to end, and suddenly it all goes up in smoke.

'One thing I would like to add is that I would like to thank everybody, because there are so many, who have helped to built this club up over the years.'

Club chairman Bernard Harding expressed his thanks to everyone involved. He said he would help in any way he could to sort out the use of any premises on site so that they would be as functional as possible for any future events.

He said: 'A big thank you goes to the fire brigade for their speed of response and the professional and efficient manner they dealt with the incident and in bringing the fire under control.'

Ian Southcott, the team manager of Tavistock AFC, said: 'Devastating is the only word I can think of to describe it because so much hard work by volunteers has gone in over the years to make it what it was.

'I am sure though, with the great support of the community, which we have always had, the club will be up and running again in time for the 2011/12 season.'

One boost for the club comes from Howdens Joinery of Tavistock. The company has agreed to donate and fit a kitchen whenever the club is ready to rebuild the social club.

Depot manager Nigel Slater-Bishop told the Times: When we heard about was has happened we just wanted to help. The club does so much for the community we thought its the least we could do.'