A SOUTHAMPTON rugby club has been damaged in a suspected arson attack after "kids set fire to a bench".

Emergency services raced to Millbrook Rugby Club to reports of a blaze. 

A fire destroyed a bench and damaged the fascia at the clubhouse off Redbridge Lane.

Crews from St Mary’s and Redbridge Fire Stations used a hose reel jet during the incident at around 6.45pm on March 27.

However, in a public social media post, a spokesperson from the club said that a "group of kids set fire to the council/volunteer-run facilities on the Five Acre playing fields".

It read: "This week Millbrook rugby club has had its CCTV smashed off and now fires being set to benches attached to the building.

"These are facilities that help the local community, please don't damage them."

Active Nation, which manages the site, is arranging repair works and said the current understanding is that the damage is to the facia and bench only.

Active Nation has "focused on making it safe at present" and costs are now being established.

Furthermore, the club is still able to be used as there is no internal damage.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said: "We were called to a report that between 7pm and 8.30pm on 27 March, a bench was set alight near Millbrook Rugby Club, causing superficial damage to the outside of the building.

“The incident has been filed, pending viable lines of enquiry coming to light. All reported incidents are reviewed and also help build an intelligence picture in a given area.”

A spokesperson from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service added: "Southampton firefighters were called after youths were reported to have set a fire at Millbrook Rugby Club at 6.45pm on Sunday evening.

"St Mary’s and Redbridge crews arrived at the scene on Redbridge Lane to find a fire involving a bench next to the clubhouse.

"One hose reel jet was used to stop the fire which had also damaged the plastic fascia on the clubhouse.

"Police were informed of the incident before HIWFRS left the scene at 7.22pm."