Dramatic footage has surfaced showing the moment the roof of the Churchdown Club, a Gloucester sports bar, collapsed during a major fire that ravaged the building on June 22. Recorded by a CCTV camera inside the premises, the video reveals the intensity of the blaze as it tore through the facility.
Established in 1921 by servicemen returning from the First World War, the community club on Church Road suffered significant damage, with around half of its premises completely destroyed. The fire, which began at approximately 11am, consumed areas including the kitchen, skittle alley, function room, and office.
Thanks to fire doors separating this section from the rest of the club, the blaze was prevented from spreading further. Despite a public fundraising appeal raising over £12,000 to date, the club faces an enormous task in restoring itself to its former state.
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Committee members are concerned that once insurance evaluations conclude, a substantial financial gap could remain, potentially amounting to several hundreds of thousands of pounds. In the meantime, the not-for-profit organisation is grappling with a significant loss of income; for example, the skittle alley had previously generated around £300 each weekday evening.
Patrick McCaffrey, deputy chairman of the club, released video footage and photographs of the burnt-out building to convey the true scale of the devastation, which many had yet to fully comprehend.
“It was a scene of devastation,” he said. “I genuinely don’t believe the extent has been made quite apparent. We will 100 per cent continue, but whether we have to diversify or can offer as much as before, we don’t know yet.”
As the club awaits the outcome of the insurance claim, staff hours have been reduced to manage resources. The area’s boiler, located within the damaged section, was lost in the fire, leaving the club without heating. Additionally, bowls and tennis players currently face challenges using the facilities, as outside toilets were also destroyed.
Groups such as the Brownies and a U3A cohort have had to find alternative venues for their meetings.
Mr McCaffrey, who owns a fire prevention business, had recently inspected and serviced the club’s fire doors, replacing seals shortly before the incident. “The timing couldn’t have been better,” he remarked, noting the fire might have been even more severe without these measures.
Nonetheless, the emotional impact has been profound. “The fire started in the roof. It was horrendous. We had staff and committee members in tears, literally watching it burn. We wondered if we were going to lose everything,” he said.
Speculation about the cause of the fire has included suggestions that newly-installed solar panels may have been responsible. However, Mr McCaffrey confirmed no definitive cause has yet been determined.
“The insurance company has engaged a forensic fire investigator to establish the specific cause. Asbestos removal is necessary in some areas before they can access the site. They aren’t expected on-site until October, with the investigation projected to last at least four days,” he added.