After a call at 3.39am, Surrey Fire Service was quickly in attendance with appliances initially from Esher and Painshill but a further eight appliances, one turntable and a water carrier also attended the scene. The alert came from a cricket club member who lives close to the Recreation Ground.

40 firefighters tackled the fire – which as of 9.00 this morning is now under control.

Surrey Fire Brigade are currently investigating the cause but it is being treated as suspicious. They added that this was a difficult fire to extinguish due to the construction of the roof and access to the inside of the building.

The Fire Service are currently dealing with the final damping down of the site. The next stage will be to isolate the site and make it safe for others users of the ground.
Claygate Cricket Club President Steve Wells commented. “This is devastating news. The clubhouse was opened in 2012 after a major fundraising campaign involving the Cricket Club, Claygate Royals Football Club, the local Claygate community and Elmbridge Borough Council. We've been incredibly proud of our new facility.

With a cafe operating in the building throughout the week it has become a focal point for village life. Now this has happened and it’s hard to believe how much damage has been brought about in those few short hours.

However, the existing concrete footprint of the building is still there, as are the walls so we do have something to start from in the future. Unfortunately at the moment it doesn't look like there will be much else able to be saved.”

Helen Maguire Chairman, Claygate Recreation Ground Trust who manages the ground on behalf of Elmbridge Borough Council added, ”This is tragic news. There will be a huge amount of work ahead of us and we will need the community to work together again to help us rebuild”.

The £350k clubhouse was opened in May 2012 by MP for Esher and Walton, Dominic Raab.