POLICE and fire officers were today.investigating a fire which destroyed a marquee in the grounds of a sports centre.
Around 450 chairs and 24 tables stacked up ready for Rossendale Rugby Club's presentation ceremony at Marl Pits Sports Centre, Rawtenstall, later today were destroyed in the blaze which also damaged a section of the 150ft x 60ft tent.
Three fire crews from Rawtenstall and Haslingden spent 90 minutes tackling the blaze which did not spread to other parts of the marquee because it was made from flame retardant material.
A fire brigade spokesman said: "The material closest to the fire melted rather than burnt so the rest of the marquee did not set alight."
An investigation into the fire, which broke out around 4am today, was still continuing although the fire brigade are looking into it being a suspected arson attack.
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