Fire causes extensive damage at Walton Club

A member of staff who lives in a flat above the club was woken by a smoke alarm sounding in the early hours today. (Nov 6)

A club committee member said: "She has come down to investigate, opened one of the doors and saw thick black smoke in the lounge.”

The member of staff dialled 999 and fire crews and police attended the scene.

The committee member said: "She was really shaken up by it. Quite distressed and emotional."

Dozens of volunteers have helped with the clean-up effort at the club today.

The committee member said: "Walton Club is very much the heart of the community.

"We have been inundated with volunteers.

"We have had about 40 people down here today clearing up broken glass and shovelling sludge from the fire.”

She said electricians and glaziers have volunteered their and the room has been boarded up.

The concert room at the club was not affected by the fire and will be open tonight.

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were called today at 4am to Shay Lane Wakefield to reports of a building fire.

“Three crews attended and used breathing apparatus and hose reels to extinguish this.

“Fire investigation are looking into the cause.”