Rabbit Causes Fire At Devizes Cricket Club
Article Date: 13th August 2004
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Hot cross bunny's clubhouse blaze
A burning rabbit scampered into a cricket club shed and caused £60,000-worth of damage in the ensuing blaze.
The rabbit was hiding in a pre-lit bonfire at Devizes Cricket Club in Wiltshire. Soon after groundsmen lit the fire, the startled rabbit ran from the bonfire with its tail alight and headed for a nearby shed.
Eleven firefighters were unable to save the shed, or equipment inside, but the rabbit may have escaped. A turf mower, diesel mower, wheelbarrows, brushes and other implements used for the upkeep of the 150-year-old club were destroyed.
There was no sign of the rabbit's remains, suggesting it may have got away alive. Devizes fire station commander Philip Flowers, said he had never fought a blaze caused by an burning animal in his 22-year career.
"We're 99% confident it was the rabbit that caused the fire," he said. "It was either burnt to a cinder or it escaped through a small hole in the corner of the shed, but I imagine it perished and went to bunny heaven."
The cricket club is appealing for donations to keep going until an insurance claim can be filed.
Richard Kingscott please watch out for any rabbits.
