Damage estimated at around the £500 mark

was caused by fire at the South Western Electricity Board’s social club in Lower Gunstone, Bideford, just after midnight on Sunday.

Two appliances from Bideford were called and prevented the blaze from spreading in a confined area.

Damage included to a false roof and to walls and woodwork surrounding door frames.

The fire was discovered by Mr and Mrs L J Darke, licensees of the Heavitree Inn, which adjoins the club.

While watching television Mrs Darke smelt burning but a search of the premises revealed nothing. Mr Darke then went into the street and raised the alarm on seeing smoke coming from under the eaves of the club roof where the outbreak is believed to have originated. A police spokesman said ‘This could have been a serious fire if it had not been spotted when it was’.

Gazette article dated 15 December 1972