Fishersgate fire

The fire has left a large hole in the side of the building's distinctive dome and insurers will be looking at the damage later this week to see what, if anything, can be done.

Centre manager Peter Averillo said the fire had destroyed equipment used by the after-school club, which meets during the week at the centre.

The secretary of Fishersgate Community Association Football Club said they had now lost their base because of the fire and desperately needed a hut to keep all their equipment in.

Firefighters were called to the troubled centre at 8.30am to tackle a small blaze inside the main dome structure.

Although it was a relatively small fire, it caused a large amount of smoke damage and may have structurally weakened the building, which is still unfinished.

Mr Averillo said there was also smoke damage in all the changing rooms and toilets. The electrics in the main hall had also been damaged by the fire.

He added that all the groups and clubs had been cancelled this week, but they hoped to open the centre again next week.

A spokesman for Adur District Council said: "The council is very sorry and concerned that this has happened. It is a blow for local residents and all the hard work put in over many years by the community association.

"There will be a meeting this week with the insurance underwriters to discuss the damage to the building and there is also a meeting with the Fishersgate Community Association trustees and manager to discuss the way forward."

Building work on the centre was stopped several years ago and is now the subject of a legal dispute.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was being treated as suspicious.