Police are investigating the cause surrounding a fire that engulfed Taylor Oval’s amenities building this morning.
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Fire and Rescue received numerous triple zero calls at around 3.25am reporting a building alight on the oval.
Station officer Scott Beers said retaining staff arrived and could visibly see the amenities building up in flames.
“They arrived at the scene quickly and proceeded to extinguish the blaze.
“Unfortunately the amenities block/canteen was severely damaged; the roof is completely gone,” he said.
Mr Beers said investigations will continue, with the aid of Moree police, to determine the cause of the fire.
He was unsure whether the building, which doubled as the Moree Suns AFL Clubhouse, was salvageable.
Moree Suns secretary Annette Hadley said the decision to demolish and rebuild, or to relocate the club, was in the hands of Moree Plains Shire Council.
“Many years of hard work by previous and current committees has been lost overnight along with equipment and property that has been accumulated over the four years since the club has been established,” she said.
In the process of stocktaking equipment, merchandise and uniforms, Mrs Hadley said the fire came at a great cost to the club, sponsors and individuals.
“...Totalling in the thousands of dollars in real terms, but a lot more regarding sentimental value along with personal time and effort.
“We hope that this will be resolved speedily, but will have to take stock of the total damage and losses and process how we move forward."
The club hopes with support of players, friends of the club and the greater community, they can recoup and replace the physical items lost in the fire.
“The club is still determined to continue building on the work of previous seasons, and looking towards a more successful season in 2019, along with many off season activities."
Taylor Oval is located in the CBD of Moree and is not only used by the Moree Suns during the AFL season, but also many sporting and community events all year round.
Mrs Hadley believed the entire building, including toilets, canteen, dressing rooms and storage on the left, was completely destroyed.
“All that’s left is the brick walls.” If you have information regarding the blaze contact Moree police on 6757 0799.
