Appeal after national rifle champion's buildings in Kemnay destroyed by fire
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Police and club members are appealing for information following a fire on Friday which completely destroyed the rifle range and shooting area of Kemnay and District Rifle Club.
At around 6.30pm on Friday evening a call was received by fire control with one crew from Kintore initially sent, however upon arrival, the Kintore crew requested additional help with two crews from Inverurie sent as firefighters sought to extinguish the blaze.
The buildings in question belonged to the club, whose accolades include the UK championship in 2019, when a team of five members, Lenny Thomson, Roger Esson, Steve Dalgarno, Malcolm Catto and George Mortimer topped the Division 1 RWS National Long Range league which involved target shooting over distances of 50-100m.
A spokesman for the club said: "We are a nationally successful target shooting club, which has been on the go since the Second World War.
"The club owns an outdoor range and for the last couple of years we’ve seen a few instances of vandalism at the hands of Kemnays youth but nothing the club couldn’t fix.
"Last night however somebody set a fire which completely destroyed the range buildings and shooting area.
"The pictures don’t do justice to the damage. this used to be two buildings and two covered areas for shooting, seating and marking.
"The club members are devastated.
"This will take a substantial effort to come back from.
"Kemnay small bore rifle club is only a small club.
"If anyone has any information please contact the Police with anything at all we would be very grateful."
