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From the Dover Express, July 3 2003. By ELOISE SMITH
Arson suspected in massive fire
AN INFERNO that reduced part of Dover's history to
charred rubble is being investigated by police.
The blaze, at the old
prison officers' club, Victoria Hall, took 30 fire-fighters more than
eight hours to bring under control after the alarm was raised at about
9pm on Saturday.
Smoke was seen to pour out of the building, which has
not been used since 1999. Five fire engines were needed to fight the
flames, and a turntable ladder had to be borrowed from Folkestone and a
water tanker brought in from Ashford because of the poor water supply.
Even so, the fire raged on into the early hours and was not fully
extinguished until 5am. The building was left in ruins.
It has recently
been subject to a planning application to become an Italian restaurant,
although there had also been moves to make it a community centre.
Dover
mayor George Allt said: "It's a terrible blow to the heritage of town
and I hope they catch whoever is responsible for this act of arson.
"The
smoke was seen right across the harbour on Saturday and from the
pictures the building was totally destroyed. It's a terrible waste."
Chris Taft, from the Western Heights Preservation Society, said: "We are
dreadfully saddened. The hall was built in the 1880's and Field Marshal
Lord Roberts of Kabul laid the foundation stone.
"The building, like
everything else on the heights, was of great historical importance
and it is a great-shame."
The fire investigation section of the Kent
Fire Brigade, scenes of crimes officers and a forensic scientist spent
all day on Sunday and Monday morning examining the scene. Station
officer Simon Smith could give no details but said detective work was
continuing.
A police spokesman said: "We believe that the most likely
cause of the fire is arson. The investigation is still in its early
stages."
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