A FIRE destroyed Rushden Town Cricket Club's 120-year-old pavilion last night.
Flames 25ft high ripped through the two-storey building in Hayden Road destroying club memorabilia, old photographs, trophies and cricket equipment.
Police are treating the cause of the blaze, which started at 9.50pm, as suspicious and will be carrying out house-to-house inquiries.
Chairman of the club, Steve Frost, 52, said: "It is very upsetting and certainly a shock. A lot of people have a long association with the building and a lot has been lost including photographs from throughout our history and some of our old trophies."
Flames soon took hold of the timber building, sweeping through both floprs destroying all the contents. The brick ends of the building escaped unscathed. There was no danger to nearby houses but neighbours were warned to stay inside and avoid the thick smoke.
It took four fire crews four hours to bring the fire under control and they remained at the scene throughout the night.
Two fire crews from Rushden originally attended the scene but because of the extent of the blaze extra crews from Wellingborough and Irthlingborough were called to help.
Sub-officer Andy Thomson said: "The cause is doubtful and is under investigation. We had crews there until 4am and they will be checking the site during the day today."
Neighbour Paul Brice, 44, of Blinco Road, said: "The fire made a hell of a lot of noise and after about an hour the building just collapsed. It's a great shame becaust it's such an historic building."
Note: a previous fire occurred in 1916 but that was another cricket pavilion.
