A community cricket club has been left devastated after a suspected arson attack left destroyed their equipment. A fire broke out in a container on Chapel Field, at the Saltash Cricket Club yesterday afternoon, Thursday, January 2.
At the time of the fire, the container was holding most of the equipment needed to maintain the community club. The equipment was vital to keeping the ground and outfield in good condition, but there was also equipment necessary for the teams to play cricket.
For more than ten years, Saltash Cricket Club has worked to build up the adult and youth equipment. The community club has worked hard to fundraise and found sponsors to keep the club going. It said the fire was “devastating to see”.
In a statement, Saltash Cricket Club said: “Not the start we wanted to 2025! Unfortunately today at 16:07 our friends at Saltash Fire Station were called to attend a suspected arson at Chapel Field involving our container containing most of the clubs equipment.
“This equipment was vitally needed to maintain the ground which has kept the outfield in a lovely condition for all the community to use in the summer but also our match day necessities needed to play cricket.
“For a community club like ourselves who have worked hard to build the adult and youth equipment which has taken 10+ years of fundraising, sponsorships and hard work is devastating to see.”
Saltash Cricket Club has been left devastated after a suspected arson attack
(Image: Saltash Fire Service)
After sharing the news of the suspected arson, locals sent messages of support to the club. One person said: “Wow shocked reading this, all the hard work that goes into for the club, thinking of you guys.” Another person added: “This is really sad that something would do this.”
Others said: “We are so sorry to read this. Please let us know if we can help.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the cricket club get back on their feet. There is a target of £2,000 and at the time of reporting, £575 has been raised.
Organiser, Ben Lindsay, explained how the fire left “kit, supplies and machinery in ashes”. The club, which has worked hard to provide a space for local teams for over ten years, has “gone up in smoke”.
Surrounding cricket clubs in Liskeard and Callington also offered their support. You can find the GoFundMe here.
In total, three fire crews were called to the scene of the fire. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze quickly and prevent it spreading to the nearby changing room and causing more damage to the club.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two appliances from Saltash and one from Devon were mobilised to a report of a container fire at Chapel Field.
“Two BA using hosereel jets were used to extinguish the fire containing equipment from Saltash Cricket Club preventing any spread to the adjacent changing rooms. If anyone has any information please contact using the crime reference number 50250001231”.