DISCARDED cigarette butts are the probable cause of a fire which devastated a Northwich community centre this week.

The clubhouse at the Dela-mere Park estate in Cuddington burnt down in the early hours of Thursday, despite the efforts of 30 firefighters.

It was the second blaze to hit a Northwich community centre in five days - Kingsley Community Centre had been seriously damaged the previous Saturday by a fire believed to have been started by arson-ists.

Fire brigade officials and police think the Delamere Park blaze was accidental, probably caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette, and that the two similar early-morning blazes are a coincidence.

Residents of the upmarket estate of 400 houses all pay fees toward the Delamere Park Communuity Centre, which was well used because of the relative isolation of the complex.

The clubhouse, in Delamere Park Way West, is believed to have been insured, which it is hoped will cover the cost of rebuilding the facility, which featured a swimming pool, squash courts and bar.

Neighbour Sam Sloan, who lives in The Cobbles, said: 'It's a sad day. I hope it's insured - we could never raise the cash to rebuild it.

'All the residents use the facility because we are fairly isolated. There are 400 houses on Delamere Park. We all pay a fee for maintenance. It's run by trustees. There are other clubs that meet there, like the garden club and other residents' clubs. There are quiz nights and so on.'

Mr Sloan said wooden tiles on the roof of the building and on top of the brick walls had led to the rapid spread of the fire, which he said was watched by a crowd of residents.

Flames could be seen leaping from the roof, which eventually collapsed into the swimming pool.

Mr Sloan said that the area does not suffer from vandalism problems.

'I certainly hope it wasn't deliberate,' he added. 'The cause is not yet known, as far as I am aware.'

He said staff normally locked the club sometime between 11.30pm and midnight.

Six fire engines were dispatched from Frodsham, Northwich, Winsford and Chester, along with a hydraulic platform, which was able to fight the fire from above. Six jets were also used by fire-fighters, who were unable to enter the building due to the danger of a collapse.

Firefighter Andy Spencer said the timber-clad nature of the building, which measures about 75m by 75m, led to the rapid spread of the blaze.

'The fire was going so well it could be seen for miles,' he said.

There were no injuries to members of the public or fire-fighters.

Station officer Ben Bellis said police were called to the scene after a movement sensor-type burglar alarm, linked to a control room, was set off, probably by smoke or, more likely, falling debris. Police who met the keyholder at the site to investigate a suspected break-in were met by a wall of smoke on opening the door. They immediately called the fire service.

The fire investigator said police found no signs of a forced entry and his team were looking at a number of causes, such as discarded cigarettes or faults with the heating or electrical systems.