DETECTIVES are probing a £200,000 early morning arson attack at a popular Burnley club.

A container containing a liquid thought to be petrol was thrown through a window at the Yatefield Social Club, Cog Lane, Burnley.

When fire crews arrived at about 2am the two-storey building was well alight.

The fire ripped through the ground floor, which firemen estimate is 50 percent destroyed, and thick smoke caused extensive damage to the first floor rooms.

The privately owned club has 666 members and many were there yesterday enjoying the Easter celebrations including an Easter bonnet parade.

Club owner, Ronnie Pugh, former landlord of the Great Marsden Hotel, Nelson, said: "It is terrible, I can hardly believe it.

"In two years I have built up membership from 400 to 666 and it is one of the friendliest clubs around without a doubt.

"Unfortunately there are a few people who want to spoil it for everyone.

"I have had two burglaries, cars have been burnt out just lower down the lane and they have even been up the flag pole and stolen the Union Jack.''

Mr Pugh, who is well known for his charity fund-raising over the years, was at the club until about 1am.

He had only just got home and into bed when he received a call to say the club was on fire.

He returned to find a scene of devastation. He said: "We have the best function room in Burnley and I have spent a fortunate completely refurbishing the downstairs .

"I would think the fire has caused about £200,000 worth of damage.''

The former Wood Top and Gannow Conservative Workingmen's Club, later known as Yatefield Conservative Club, closed in December, 1992, 115 years and one day after it opened.

Mr Hugh bought the premises in 1994 and officially opened the club on the D-Day anniversary.

Station Officer Brian Rees said the building was well alight when they arrived. Four men in breathing apparatus used two high pressure jets to bring the blaze under control.

Near the seat of the fire they found a bottle which had contained an inflammable liquid thought to be petrol.

Mr Rees said: "There was evidence that it had been thrown into the building.''

Police are fire chiefs are carrying out extensive inquiries.

Anyone with information that can help the investigation is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282-425001.

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