An police investigation has been launched following the latest in a number of suspected arson attacks on local sports clubs.
The Old Reigatians Rugby Club building in Park Lane, Reigate was partially destroyed in the early hours of yesterday (SAT) morning when a fire started at the back of the building before spreading to the roof.
The blaze caused substantial damage to the roof.
Detectives in East Surrey are now appealing for witnesses.
While officers are still working to determine what started the fire they did confirm it was treated as a suspected arson attack.
This latest incident follows a number of other fires at sports clubs in the week.
In the early hours of last Sunday, a fire was reported at the clubhouse of the Horley Lawn Tennis Club in Vicarage Lane.
The building had been newly constructed following four years of local fundraising and was near to completion before the fire.
This was followed by another blaze at the Churchfields Bowls Club in Church Walk, Reigate at around 2.30am on Thursday.
Detective sergeant Stuart Underwood, from Reigate CID, said: "This is the third suspicious fire in the early hours at a sports club premises in under a week and we are investigating the possibility they are linked. Such criminality not only causes significant damage to what are important buildings for the local community but is also extremely dangerous and can potentially put lives at risk.
"I would like to reassure local residents that we are taking these matters extremely seriously and we will have additional patrols and an increased policing presence in the local area.
"I would advise all local sports clubs and community groups, and residents who live close to them, to be on their guard and report any suspicious activity to police immediately. I would also urge anyone who has information about any of these fires to contact us."
Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference P14186283.
