Police have launched an investigation after a fire broke out in the historic cricket club pavilion of a Grade II listed 19th century house. Firefighters were called to Heathcoat Cricket Club at Knightshays Court, a Victorian estate near Tiverton, Devon, on Friday morning. On arrival, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service found the wooden clubhouse on fire. Members of the cricket club are now “shocked and saddened” by the incident but have expressed their gratitude to firefighters for their efforts to put out the blaze. The cause of the fire is still unknown and at the time of writing £900 has been raised through a fundraising campaign to rebuild the clubhouse. A spokesman for Heathcote Cricket Club said the club and everyone in the cricket community were “deeply shocked and saddened by these events”.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Fire Service for their help and efforts in fighting the fire. “It’s still a very raw and emotional time for everyone involved… But with pain comes an opportunity to rebuild. “We are very proud of our great clubhouse. But a club is more than a building. “A club is defined by its community and we are confident that we will rebuild the clubhouse. “We will let everyone know as soon as we have information and plans regarding scheduling and bookings.” Matt Tidom, chief executive of the Devon Cricket Foundation, also issued a statement. He said: “We offer our sincere condolences to everyone associated with Heathcote Cricket Club.
“It breaks my heart to see the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that went into supporting the club and building the club. “I have no doubt that the Devon Cricket Association will come together to support Heathcote and its members during this difficult time. “The Devon Cricket Foundation and the England and Wales Cricket Board will of course support the club to get back on track as quickly as possible.”
