THE scout hut in Tavistock was badly damaged by a fire last week, which police and firefighters believe was started deliberately.
At least £600 worth of damage was caused to the scout hut in Pixon Lane after a pile of timber stored to the side of the hut between the building and the gun club was set alight, causing damage to the facia guttering and roof.
The Tavistock fire crew were called to extinguish the blaze at around 9am, last Friday, November 2. Fire chief Chris Neale said the crew had to move propane cylinders adjacent to the scout hut which could have accelerated the fire. Several sections of the scout hut roof had to be cut away so firefighters could get the blaze under control, but the gun club suffered no damage.
Devon Fire and Rescue called in a fire detection dog from Plymouth to investigate the scene because the incident was thought to be arson.
Fire investigators and police are now trying to establish the cause of the blaze. Tavistock police say they believe the fire to be a 'deliberate and reckless action' and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.