Arson attack destroys Royal British Legion Club

The former Royal British Legion Club, in Penhill was severely damaged in a suspected arson attack on 10th February.

12 firefighters and 4 fire engines from Swindon Stratton attended the blaze in Downton Road at about 5.10am.

Royal British Legion members had voted to close the building 2 years ago due to financial problems but it was thought that the building could be used in some way by the local community.

Tim O’Sullivan who is a member of the Royal British Legion and keyholder of the venue, said: “We have already had several phone calls from people who are upset. At the end of the day, if anybody was to do anything with the building, there’s a lot of damage that’s been done in there by the fire so it’s more money to be spent before the doors could ever be opened. That’s the problem. Who is going to spend tens and tens of thousands of pounds to open a place? It could take them a long time to get their investment back. The Royal British Legion is a charity and they’re going to have to come and pay thousands of pounds more to get the place secured, otherwise the place might end up on fire again tonight.”

Local resident, Matthew Emery witnessed the fire and said: “I came past at eight o’clock this morning and there was a fire engine still here – the building was still smouldering. By all accounts, there were five fire engines but I only saw one when I came past. I’m not surprised the building was on fire. It’s been waiting to happen. I think if you leave a building long enough, it’s going to get damaged.”

An investigation into the cause of the fire is now being carried out by police.