Two men have appeared in court accused of starting a series of devastating fires in a north-east town.
Peterhead’s historic Victoria Bowling Club pavilion was destroyed in an early morning blaze last month.
Around the same time, two more fires were reported at industrial units in nearby Wilson Street.
The three incidents are believed to have caused hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.
Yesterday, Christopher Connell, 27, and Conal Davidson, 22, appeared in private on petition at Peterhead Sheriff Court charged with willful fire-raising.
Neither made any plea during the brief hearing before Sheriff Mark Stewart QC.
The pair, who are both from Peterhead, were released on bail and are expected to make a second appearance in court in the coming weeks.
The three fires broke out within half an hour of each other, between 3am-4am, on June 15.
The 92-year-old pavilion has been made secure by Aberdeenshire Council workmen to prevent further damage.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said last night: “While this incident is causing significant and unavoidable disruption, we would like to reassure the public, and in particular the bowling community, that provision is now in place to ensure continued access to the bowling greens during the busy summer months.
“We are also working with all of those involved, including the club themselves, to try and identify the best way forward for the community in the longer term.”
A temporary cabin has been set up on the green to store players’ equipment.
Peterhead councillor Anne Allan, a member of the Buchan Community Safety Group, said: “This was a devastating fire which destroyed a much-valued community facility.
“While the building was insured this has caused unnecessary distress and disruption to the bowling club. I am hopeful that the council can get things moving quickly to start the process of building a replacement facility.”
Fellow local councillor Stephen Smith added: “Victoria Bowling Club has been a part of the community for many years and for this to happen at this time in particular, at the height of the outdoor bowling season. has caused a lot of inconvenience and sorrow, not to mention disrupting the annual Scottish Week competition.”
Two fire crews from Peterhead took about 50 minutes to bring the pavilion fire under control.
Another five appliances from across the north-east were sent to nearby Wilson Street to deal with the other blazes.
The first was reported at 3.30am – 15 minutes after the initial call-out to Victoria Road – at a derelict former ship’s chandlers unit, while another started in the Ken Cassell fish merchant’s building just yards away.
