Boating hut in midnight arson attack

The incident happened just a few days after park strollers witnessed the killing of a swan by an uncontrolled dog.

Firefighters were called out at midnight last Friday. Two crews found the block-built hut ablaze.

In it were

*a gas cylinder for a portable heater;

*highly inflammable paint and thinners for boat maintenance;

* and the entire stock of oars.

Firefighters managed to remove the potentially dangerous gas cylinder and cool it in the water before it could explode.

All but one of the oars was destroyed.

Rowing boats were set adrift on the boating lake.

Firefighters had to remove the wooden roof from the hut. They found the door lock still fastened to its staple and to a steel security strap across what was left of the door.