Blaze-hit footie club faces £30k repair bill
A bill to repair the fire-ravaged Viewfield Rovers clubhouse could exceed £30,000, volunteers have said.
The building went up in flames last Friday evening as a result of what club officials believe to be the “misguided actions” of teenagers who broke into the ground.
The blaze started at the Lochwinnoch facility at 8pm, moments after a group of youths were seen by local residents on the premises.
Now, having assessed the damage, club secretary Ali McMaster – who is a builder to trade – says he thinks it would cost around £30,000 to make good.
Devastatingly, the building was not insured.
Describing the whole ordeal as a “big blow” to the organisation, Ali said he and the team have, however, been buoyed by offers of support from the wider Lochwinnoch and footballing community.
He told the Express: “The inside has been completely wiped out. All the equipment, tables, chairs, etc.
“The electrics have been burned out too so it will need completely rewired and replumbed so it’s been a real blow for us.
“We weren’t insured either because it’s a wooden building.”
Three fire engines raced to the scene and quickly brought the blaze under control.
Firefighters say it may have been caused by a faulty wire in a fan.
However, Ali has revealed that none of the fans were working in the building and believes a fan on an external wall could have been set alight before falling inwards.
He said: “Our pavilion went up in smoke only 10 minutes after some local residents spotted youths inside the gates hiding in the small shelter which is attached to the main building.
“Initial reports from the police and fire brigade suggested that there could have been a wiring issue with a fan so we cannot confirm the exact cause until we hear further. However, we would be grateful if anyone has any footage or knowledge of who the youths could have been as we think it would be worthwhile chatting with them to see what they were doing in the premises.
“I do believe it was the actions of misguided children but these things happen. No one was hurt, that’s the main thing.”
Going forward, Ali and the team are keen to secure a portable building or other temporary structure which they can use as a changing room.
This would ensure the team and other clubs who hire the pitch and facilities for their games can continue to fulfil league fixtures.
He is hoping to organise a large cleanup operation once it has been confirmed the structure of the building is safe and also a GoFundMe page to raise the money needed for temporary changing rooms and long-term repairs.
Ali added: “Lots of people have been in touch to say they will come in and clean it, even people I knew from years ago.
“We have electricians and plumbers in the team too and the other boys so if we get the materials we may well be able to do it for less than the £30k.
“I’m sure the boys will come together and we will get there, it is just going to take time.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.01 pm on Friday, February 3 to reports of a fire at Viewfield Amateur Football Club, Lochwinnoch.
“Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the scene and firefighters extinguished a building fire.
“There were no casualties and crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”