CLUB TARGET OF FIREBUG HUNT
Nearby residents raise the alarm
Efforts are underway to catch a firebug who attempted to torch a business premises in Callander on Christmas Day.
The fire was started at Callander Rifle Club, in Camp Place, shortly before 6pm on Wednesday.
A wheelie bin was put in front of the main entrance and set alight.
Residents living nearby raised the alarm and called the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who extinguished the fire.
The door and surrounding cladding were left severely damaged.
Club members recently raised about £10,000 for a new roof which has been fitted at the premises.
Club secretary, Robert
Farquhar, said:“There’s no doubt this was deliberate.
“The door was badly burnt and the firefighters had to cut out an overhanging section above the door.
“We close over the Christmas and New Year period, so the club won’t be open until January. However, there’s all the hassle of having to deal wit the insurance and the repairs.
“We spent a lot of money on having the roof replaced, we’re just lucky that it wasn’t damaged.”
Police probing the blaze are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near the club at the time.
Sergeant David McNally said:“This was a reckless act which could have caused more damage than it did had it not been for a vigilant member of the public contacting the fire service. We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area, including drivers who may have dashcam footage that could help our investigation, to get in touch.”
In July last year, the Observer reported how the 110-year-old club was in the process of a fundraising effort to carry out a raft of urgently needed repairs.
The clubhouse is used five days a week by around 60 members and is also rented out to other groups, including Scotland’s Commonwealth shooting team and Police Scotland.
The club has two multi– function ranges, one of which measures 25 metres and is used for .22 rim fire disciplines although it’s officially approved for larger calibre weapons including black powder. It is also used for .22 air rifle shooting and gallery shooting and there is also a small group who use it for knife throwing.
The second range is a 10 metre air discipline range with electrically operated targets and is used by less experienced shooters.
Callander Rifle Club was founded in 1909, during the aftermath of the Boer War in South Africa.
Anyone with information should contact the police by calling 101 quoting incident number 1909 of December 25, or contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.