Arson attack at Oldham Athletic

[Horsham Gull]

Police investigate Oldham Athletic Boundary Park fire
Fire-damaged stand The fire damaged the disabled area and hospitality suite

An investigation is under way into a suspected arson attack at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park stadium.

A disabled seating area and the Corner Flag suite at the ground were badly damaged by the fire on Sunday evening.

CCTV showing two teenagers who entered the ground before the fire has been released by police in the town.

Club officials said repairs would cost an estimated £40,000 and they now face a race to get the stadium ready for Yeovil Town's visit on Saturday.

Scenes of crime officers and fire investigators spent the evening at Boundary Park following the fire at 1730 BST.
Fire 'reckless'

Police said the two teenage boys were spotted scaling a fence into the ground at about 1715 BST, minutes before a wooden pallet was set alight in the stand.

Det Con Stewart Lindsay, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "While nobody was in the ground at the time, whoever lit this fire was reckless and had no regard for the fans whose enjoyment of the football will be ruined by this.
CCTV of teenage suspects Police are urging anyone who recognises the boys to come forward

"I'd ask people to take a good look at these images and if you recognise either of these people, please contact me."

Club chief executive Alan Hardy said: "Obviously it's very disappointing.

"We have people with season tickets in that suite, sold for the rest of the year, who we're going to have to look at relocating.

"Thankfully [there were] no injuries but obviously there's a lot of work we have to do now before Saturday."

The first boy is described as white, aged between 14 and 18, with short dark hair. He was dressed in black.

The second is also described as white, around the same age, with short fair hair. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and blue three-quarter length shorts.

Both left the ground shortly after the fire took hold. Investigations are continuing.

BBC News - Police investigate Oldham Athletic Boundary Park fire
Oldham Athletic | News | News Update | News Update | CORNER FLAG SUITE FIRE

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

"Fire at Boundary Park causes £2,000 worth of improvements"

 

[The Grockle]

hopefully they'll find the culprits and oldham for questioning.

 

[The Orange Seagull]

Those two young lads must have been quite ATHLETIC to scale that fence.

 

[Durlston]

The first thing the Oldham chairman said to the firefighters was: "Oh God, please tell me the cups are safe!"

"Don't worry sir, the fire didn't spread to the kitchen."

 

[hopper_182]

hopefully they'll find the culprits and oldham for questioning.

That made me chuckle.

Sounds like it was a lot worse than the arson attack at withdean during last season.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Did Lee Hughes use the hospitality suite as a bedsit because he said it resembled a prison cell ?