SCOUT meetings will be going ahead as usual following a suspected arson incident.
Police were called to Peckmill Scout Wood in Davenham on Tuesday following reports of a car fire which Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service believe had been started deliberately.
Thankfully, the blaze didn’t cause any damage to the woods or equipment owned by 1st Davenham Scouts.
A spokesperson for the group said: “Around 12.30am this morning (April 23), Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Cheshire Police responded to a car on fire at the entrance to Peckmill Scout Wood in Davenham.
“By the time we heard about the incident around 7.30am, emergency services had extinguished the fire, removed most of what was left of the car and cleared the scene.
“A Davenham Scouts volunteer cleaned up the remaining debris and the area is now clear.
“The fire did not cause damage to any of our equipment so our programme of weekly meetings for young people will be unaffected.
“Our thanks go out to the brave men and women of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service who bravely and professionally tackled this blaze.”
Emergency services were called to the car fire, at the entrance of the woods, shortly before 1am.
It is believed the blaze was started on purpose, prompting police to launch an investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: “At 12.44am on Tuesday, April 23, police were called to reports of a car fire near to Peckmill Scout Wood, on London Road, Davenham.
“Initial enquiries suggest that the cause of the fire is deliberate, and an investigation has been launched.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or visit www.cheshire.police.uk quoting IML 1806598.”
READ MORE: Investigation launched after car set on fire ‘deliberately’
Peckmill Scout Wood has been the home of Davenham Scouts since 2010.
Meetings are held outdoors with members using temporary facilities such as portable toilets and shipping containers for storage.
However, last August planning permission was granted for a new two-storey hut.
The next fundraiser to help bring this project to life is ‘Songs for Spring’ on May 11 at Davenham Methodist Church.
Tickets are £8 and can be purchased by calling Emma Morley on 07944090354.
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