'This could have cost a family their lives' (From Warrington Guardian)

'This could have cost a family their lives'

A SUSPECTED arson attack at a neighbourhood centre that has undergone a massive transformation could have caused millions of pounds worth of damage and cost an entire family their lives.

So says angry Ray Rigby, manager of Bold Miners Neighbourhood Centre that has recently benefited from a £1.5million revamp.

Damage was discovered to the door of the soon to be opened crche section of the centre on Fleet Lane, Parr on Saturday morning.

It is believed a bin bag was taken from a nearby skip, torched, then placed beside the door. Fortunately the fire did not spread through the building.

Living in the centre were the chairman and stewardess of the club, Tommy and Barbara McGarry, their two children and granddaughter.

A "sickened" Mr Rigby, 50, reckons the intention was to spark a massive blaze. The door of the crche was damaged.

He said: "We are trying to improve life in the community and then we get someone trying to set fire to the crche.

Revamped

"It's just mind-boggling why someone would attempt to do that. It could have caused more than a million pounds worth of damage. The place could have been burnt down."

The revamped centre aims to offer a range of services focused upon community education, employment training, community health, childcare and welfare and crime prevention.

It also includes a community caf, a revamped social area and is home to Bold Miners rugby league club.

Mr Rigby has held talks with police and there are plans to step up security measures.

He said the centre's steering committee would look towards putting up a reward for information that helps catch the culprits.