Suspected arson called 'devastating blow' by football club in Yeovil
Emergency services were called to a fire in the changing rooms at Johnson Park on Tuesday night (17 June)
Police are reported to be investigating a suspected arson attack at a football club in Yeovil.
Emergency services were called to a fire in the changing rooms at Johnson Park on Tuesday night (17 June).
Pen Mill Youth Football Club say it's a "devastating blow" - and that everything stored in their equipment room has been destroyed.
'Let’s come together as a community — as we always do — and rebuild what’s been lost'
In an official statement, released yesterday, bosses said: "On the evening of Tuesday 17th June at approximately 9:30pm, a member of the YSSC team alerted emergency services to a fire in the changing rooms at Johnson Park. CCTV footage has confirmed that the fire was started deliberately by a group of young males. Clear images have been captured and are now with the police as part of their ongoing investigation.
"If you are aware of any additional footage or videos circulating on social media that may assist in identifying those responsible, please forward them to us or directly to the police.
"This is a devastating blow to our club. As an entirely volunteer-run organisation, our team works tirelessly to improve our facilities and provide opportunities for the local community. To see that work undermined by such a senseless act is heart breaking.
"While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know that everything stored in our equipment room has been destroyed, with possible further smoke damage in our changing rooms. With our biggest fundraising event of the year (our tournaments) just 10 days away — and our youth presentation event scheduled for this weekend — the timing couldn’t be worse. The affected rooms were filled with team kits, supplies, and equipment critical to both events.
"We are now facing an urgent and extensive clean-up effort, and we need your help. Any support — practical, or in-kind — to help us recover and replace what we’ve lost would mean the world to us.
"We want to express our sincere thanks to the fire brigade for their swift response, which prevented even greater damage, and to the police for their continued efforts in handling this case.
"We also understand that this was not the only incident last night. Small fires were reportedly started in the surrounding wooded areas of Johnson Park. If your child returned home smelling of smoke or fire and you share our outrage, we welcome your support in helping them take responsibility for their actions — even if that means assisting us in cleaning up the damage.
"Let’s come together as a community — as we always do — and rebuild what’s been lost."
Fire Service response
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue told us: "We were called at 9.30pm and sent three appliances and an aerial ladder platform.
"A fire had started in a bin outside the building and spread to some football equipment inside a changing room.
"The fire was contained to a single changing room which was partially damaged by fire and fully damaged by smoke.
"The football equipment was also affected. Crews used breathing apparatus and two water jets to extinguish the fire."