Arson attack sees lunch dates cancelled at March Conservative Club

A town club has been forced to cancel its popular monthly carvery and weekly lunches following an arson attack.

March Conservative Club in Creek Road was the victim of a break-in and arson attack on New Year’s Day.

The incident which happened around 6pm saw both Creek Road and Station Road closed by police while fire crews from March and Chatteris tackled the fire.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire Service said: “Firefighters arrived to find twosheds well alight, with the fire spreading to a third shed. They used hose reels and a jet to extinguish the fire and returned to their stations just after 7.30pm before reinspecting the area at 11pm.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate. Anyone with information should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Posting on its Facebook page March Con Club announced it had cancelled the January carvery as well as the Wednesday lunches.

The club explained: “As some of you are aware, the club was the victim of a break in and arson attack on New Year’s Day.

“The main club is not affected, the buildings burnt were outbuildings. However, there is some fire and smoke damage to the portacabin that is used as a preparation and storage area for the kitchen.

“As a result we are closing the kitchen until the necessary remedial repairs have been carried out. We are waiting for the insurance company to send a loss assessor so we can proceed.

“This means the January carvery is cancelled, and there will be no Wednesday lunches until further notice. All functions, meetings, darts, dominoes, pool, snooker, and chess games are unaffected. Thank you for your understanding.”

The club has also advised members and others not to go to the back of the club until the assessor has been and it is safe to do so.