Home   Canterbury   News   Article

Video: Blaze destroys community hall

Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Jamie and Hazel Parker and daughter Megan in the fire damaged St Johns Hall in Church Lane, Canterbury. Picture:Chris Davey
Jamie and Hazel Parker and daughter Megan in the fire damaged St Johns Hall in Church Lane, Canterbury. Picture:Chris Davey

A community hall may have to be demolished after it was damaged by fire.

St John Hall in Church Lane had to be evacuated on Friday evening at about 7.30pm, just as cadets from St John’s Ambulance began their weekly training session.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the main hall’s roof, floor and rear storage shed.

See the damage in our video above

Cadet officer-in-charge Jamie Parker said: “I heard a loud bang outside.

“Shortly after my partner and two cadets said they could smell smoke.

“I looked outside again and saw flames by the storage shed and we decided to evacuate the building.”

Among those inside at the time were Jamie’s wife Hazel, 34, also a St John’s Ambulance volunteer, and their three-month-old daughter Megan.

Fire crews from Canterbury, Sturry and Herne Bay tackled the blaze, which took about two hours to get under control.

Resuscitation dummies, practice first aid kit, paperwork and uniforms were all damaged.

An open day, due to take place this Saturday, has been cancelled.

A tombola, raffle prizes, displays and jumble were also destroyed in the blaze.

Jamie, 29, who works as a clerk at Canterbury Crown and County Court, said it was difficult to put a total figure on the damage.

He added: “It’s most likely tens of thousands of pounds.

“The floor is wrecked, there’s asbestos in the building too, so that could influence the insurance company when they decide if it’s going to be worth repairing the damage.”

Northgate Community Centre has given the St John’s cadets one reason to be cheerful, however, by offering them use of a room.

Training sessions will continue at the temporary base from 7.30pm every Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Stewart Walker on 01227 868266.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More