Club on fire as residents warned to shut windows

Residents have been warned to keep windows and doors shut after a fire broke out at a social club.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has sent crews to Churchdown Club on Church Road, Churchdown, and said the fire is "causing a lot of smoke in the area".

According to traffic monitoring service, Inrix, there is slow traffic in both directions on Church Road between Station Road and Chapel Hay Lane.

Jo Parry, club secretary, said wakes had been due to take place at the club on Monday and Tuesday, with a World Cup screening of the England v Ghana game also planned for Tuesday evening.

One resident, who did not want to be named but said she lived on Brookfield Road in Churchdown, said she walked down to the scene after her boiler engineer pointed the smoke out to her.

"I don't use [the club] but a lot of old people do because there's lots of old people that live in Churchdown; it's a skittle alley, so a lot of people go there," she said.

"There's the Indian restaurant in there as well and there's the pizza hut next to it, but the actual club isn't damaged apparently it's just the skittle alley because the roof's gone.

"The old people especially are really upset, everybody's really quiet and miserable because they go there every night."

Derek Wilde said he was at Churchdown Club on Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the fire broke out, and said he was sad to see the building on fire.

"It wasn't that long ago they had the roof done and they had solar panels put on... and they had it all done up nicely and it's all been decorated inside the club as well," he said.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was first reported at 10:50 BST on Monday, and six fire engines were in attendance from various stations across the county.

Churchdown Community Centre said it was saddened to hear about the fire at Churchdown Club.

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including the Club team, nearby residents and the emergency services working hard to bring the situation under control," the club said in a post on Facebook.

"If you're in the area and would like somewhere away from the smoke and heat, the Community Centre is open and you're welcome to come in, sit down, have a drink and wait safely while the emergency services deal with the incident."

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