ARSONISTS started a blaze which destroyed a Scout hut in

Horsham yesterday.

The wooden building in Higgins Way, by Bennetts Field, was used by the 5th Horsham Scouts to store equipment worth around £4,000.

Police say the fire was started deliberately at about 4.45pm.

Firefighters found a camping gas cylinder in the hut, which could have injured anyone walking nearby if it had exploded.

The hut, worth £5,000, is next to the Scouts' meeting place, which escaped the blaze.

Horsham and Weald Scouts

District Commissioner, John Yarlett, there had been several vandalism attacks on the store, which contained a trailer, lawn mower and tools.

He said: "We have had windows smashed and youths have tried to disrupt meetings by running in and throwing eggs and stones.

"I don't think this is a hate

campaign. Scouts are a sitting

target. They are regarded as

do-gooders and a bit of an anachronism."

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