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Football club fire 'may be arson' | Football club fire 'may be arson' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Police are treating a fire at a football clubhouse in County Antrim as suspicious. | Police are treating a fire at a football clubhouse in County Antrim as suspicious. |
Fire crews were called to the blaze at Carrick Rangers Football Club in Carrickfergus at about 0530 GMT. | Fire crews were called to the blaze at Carrick Rangers Football Club in Carrickfergus at about 0530 GMT. |
Flames engulfed disused buildings alongside the football pitch at Taylors Avenue and large plumes of smoke billowed into nearby streets. | Flames engulfed disused buildings alongside the football pitch at Taylors Avenue and large plumes of smoke billowed into nearby streets. |
Chairman David Hilditch said there were "indications" that the fire had been started deliberately. | Chairman David Hilditch said there were "indications" that the fire had been started deliberately. |
He added that the football stands and changing rooms had survived but there could still be a "massive financial impact" on the club. | He added that the football stands and changing rooms had survived but there could still be a "massive financial impact" on the club. |
The fire caused difficulties for people living in Barnhill Cottages, a residential fold close to the club. | The fire caused difficulties for people living in Barnhill Cottages, a residential fold close to the club. |
Only one member of staff was able to get into work. | Only one member of staff was able to get into work. |
Senior support worker Angela Williams, who has been in contact with her, said she was managing to cope in the situation. | Senior support worker Angela Williams, who has been in contact with her, said she was managing to cope in the situation. |
She said: "She has reassured all the tenants and everything seems to be OK." | She said: "She has reassured all the tenants and everything seems to be OK." |
Ms Williams said she had moved one tenant because he had had his windows open and his house was full of smoke. | Ms Williams said she had moved one tenant because he had had his windows open and his house was full of smoke. |
"But they are all safe and everything is OK and under control," she said. | "But they are all safe and everything is OK and under control," she said. |
Carrick Rangers are due to play their next home game at the grounds on 9 January. | Carrick Rangers are due to play their next home game at the grounds on 9 January. |
A spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Service said that three fire engines and an aerial platform | |
Later on Monday, police said Taylors Avenue, which was closed at its junction with Marine Highway, had been reopened. | |