Residents in Carlisle were shocked to wake up to the news that a well-loved community centre had been gutted by fire.
Fire crews from Carlisle East and West fire stations arrived at the scene of the old Harraby Community Centre on Edgehill Road at 2am yesterday.
Fire crews said the blaze appeared to have been started deliberately and that Cumbria Police are now investigating.
Carole Jerram, who lives near Edgehill Road, said: “I was taking my little dog on a morning walk and I noticed the debris and I could smell it.
“It’s an empty building now and I don’t know what they’re going to do with it.