Shotton club fire may have been started deliberately

Police believe that a fire, which tore through a disused social club in Shotton, Flintshire, on Friday, may have been started on purpose.

Shotton Lane Social Club, the scene of the suspicious fire is still in the hands of the fire crews although detectives hope that they will soon be given the go ahead to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Around 100 people had to be evacuated from their properties due to the danger surrounding the condition of the building and the chances of the fire spreading.

A joint fire service and police investigation will soon get underway into the suspected arson attack, once the former social club is deemed to be safe to enter by the safety assessors.

Detective Chief Inspector Graham Talbot of the North Wales Police said:

“The former social club, which remains owned by a brewery, has been secured as a crime scene and we will be able to establish if we can commence our investigations inside the building.

“If so, the building will be subject to forensic examination which should help determine the cause of the fire and where it started.”

The police have asked anyone with information regarding the fire to come forward.