'Heart-breaking' fire wrecks revamped community hub

A village community centre has been wrecked by fire just months after it was refurbished and redecorated.

Crews were called to the Hub in Winterborne Kingston, Dorset, shortly after 05:30 BST on Tuesday.

Lower Winterborne Parish Council, which owns the building, said no-one was hurt and the cause was found to be accidental.

Council chairman Ross Jessopp said, although the fire had been "fairly small", the building had suffered extensive smoke and water damage.

Mr Jessopp said: "It is heartbreaking as the Hub has been very well looked after by a team of volunteers and the parish has invested heavily in it.

"The entire building had just been redecorated, including a beautiful mural of scenes from the village painted by local children - and some adults - that was completed earlier this year.

"New carpets had been fitted recently, as well as new windows."

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said three crews using breathing apparatus and an off-road vehicle had put out the fire by 07:30.

The Hub - which has three rooms and a kitchen - hosts bingo, coffee mornings and pool tournaments, as well offering private hire.

Mr Jessopp said: "It is certainly the intention to repair and rebuild the building and get it open again as soon as possible, but clearly we will have to wait to see the full extent of the damage and wait to hear from the insurers before we can put a timescale on that."

People using the recreation ground have been warned not to enter the building due to the "structural damage, toxic smoke and soot".

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.