THE blaze which destroyed a former Labour Club is believed to have been started deliberately says the town’s fire chief following a number of arson attacks on the same day.

Firefighters spent more than 20 hours at the scene of the fire at the former Labour Club on Chancery Lane in Parr on Thursday (February 27).

Within an hour of the fire starting at around 4pm the fire service’s control room received more than 13 calls from members of the public.

Four fire engines were initially called out from St Helens, Eccleston, Whiston and Kirkby. By 7.21pm the main body of the fire had been put out and damping down continued into Friday morning.

By 9.31 am this morning (Friday, February 28) a fire engine from St Helens took over from colleagues at Eccleston and were using two hose jest to put out the remaining pockets of fire.

St Helens fire chief Chris Case said: “At this stage indications suggest that the fire at the former social club near Chancery Lane was a suspected deliberate ignition. Our investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.

“The fire produced flames which reached more than 10 feet into the air and large volumes of smoke. Smoke can cause a danger to motorists as it reduces visibility.

“We investigate every fire we are called to and we work with Merseyside Police to help bring those responsible to court. We have seen recent cases where people have appeared in court in Merseyside, charged with arson and been fined or received jail terms.

“I would urge anyone with information on any fires started deliberately to please contact Merseyside Police on 101. You can make a difference and help us to protect your community from fire and fires from anti-social behavior.”

A building survey was also called out to determine the safety of the property.

The fire was one of several suspected arson attacks on Thursday.

Firefighters were called to a small fire in the rear yard of a house on nearby Redgate Drive at around 5.47pm. The fire was put out using a high pressure hose.

They were also called out to a fire in a rubbish bin near the East Lancs Road in Haydock just after 8pm. They fire was out by the time they arrived and they left once the scene was safe.

Earlier in the day at around 2.44pm crews attended a small fire in a derelict building on Gorsey Lane in Clock Face and they were called out again less than an hour later to deal with a burning pile of rubbish near Cherry Tree Drive in Parr.