Firefighters were still damping down the burning embers of the destroyed Arley Miners? Welfare Club today.

Crews from Nuneaton and Coleshill worked through the night and well into the morning to make sure the flames did not take hold again, or spread to nearby properties.

Fire investigation officers were due to return to the scene today following initial examinations last night at the former club in Ransome Road.

As fire crews battled the flames at the height of the blaze, water was intermittently diverted to one property close by to ensure the heat did not get too intense across its roof.

By 11pm, the back section of the building was just a skeleton, its roof collapsed to leave the rafters exposed and burning steadily.

The middle section was also burning well, while the front section was less affected, but still badly damaged.

Assistant divisional officer Greg Pace, from Coleshill, said: ?When the crews

arrived the back section was well alight and there was fire in the centre section. It quickly became obvious it was a rapidly developing fire.

?The decision was taken to protect surrounding residents rather than try and get inside the building, particular-ly as there was no life risk in there.

?The changing wind direction made it tricky and we had low water pressure so we had to bring in the bowser.?

? BEDWORTH firefighters had to deal with two abandoned cars last night, one which had been torched and one which had crashed into a telegraph pole.

At 7pm they were called to Morris Road, in Nuneaton, where a Ford Escort had been dumped and set alight.

At 1am this morning they were sent to Common Lane, in Corley, where an Audi had been driven into a telegraph pole, knocking it over. The car had then ended up in a ditch.