FELIXSTOWE: Vandals have put the changing rooms out of action at a Felixstowe sports club after setting light to the building.The attack on the Felixstowe Rugby Club premises comes just weeks after the Felixstowe Corinthians cricket club's tea and storage hut was destroyed in a suspicious blaze - just 50 yards from the latest incident on the same field.

FELIXSTOWE: Vandals have put the changing rooms out of action at a Felixstowe sports club after setting light to the building.

The attack on the Felixstowe Rugby Club premises comes just weeks after the Felixstowe Corinthians cricket club's tea and storage hut was destroyed in a suspicious blaze - just 50 yards from the latest incident on the same field.

Police said today that the new fire was arson and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Officers believe the blaze at Coronation sports ground off Mill Lane was started inside the changing rooms and shower block and are investigating whether the fire-raisers broke in or smashed something through the roof.

Two fire crews were called out at 11pm on Sunday after residents heard a loud bang, saw flames coming from the building and dialled 999.

The building was heavily smoke-logged and there is damage to the roof space.

The rugby club, which has just started its season, had used the building, which it leases from Suffolk Coastal council, on Saturday.

A council spokesman said it was too early at this stage to say what repairs were needed and how long they will take.

“The police have only just given us the okay to go inside the building, so as yet we cannot judge the extent of the damage or how long it will take to put things right,” said a spokesman.

“We hope to have a clearer view of what needs to be done soon.

“Clearly the council is appalled by this mindless and dangerous incident and would call on the public to report anything that they may have seen direct to the police.”

A police spokeswoman said scenes or crime officers were examining the building to see how the vandals got in.

Anyone who was in the Mill Lane or Coronation Drive area before 11pm or just after and may have seen people acting suspiciously should call Pc Nicola Burnham-Slipper on 01473 613500.