ARSONISTS are believed to be responsible for a fire which caused damage estimated at tens of thousands of pounds at a yacht club.

The two-floor building, at the Strand, Gillingham, was broken into in the early hours of Saturday and the fire was started on the top floor shortly afterwards.

It is the third time in as many weeks that the building has been broken into. The sailing club's yard has also been broken into several times over the past couple of weeks and many boats have been burgled.

Firefighters from Medway Fire Station arrived on the scene just after 4.30am where they found the top floor of Segas Sailing Club's building well alight.

Firefighter Calvin Wood said: "The fire had really taken hold by the time we arrived. Flames were coming out of the windows and were licking the roof of the building.

"We used breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras to make sure no one was in the building and to help us put out the fire."

The modern building had good fire prevention measures so the blaze did not cause too much damage to the lower floor.

Crews took about an hour to bring the flames under control and then sent in fire investigation officers to try and determine the cause of it.

Later on Saturday many of the club's devastated members congregated in the yard to see if there was anything they could do to help with the clear-up.

Several were already in the building trying to get the charred remains out.

One member, who did not want to be named, said: "We are all devastated and angry about what has happened. Over the past few weeks we have been broken into several times. We even improved security, but it failed to stop them from getting in.

"We are fighting a losing battle against these mindless vandals and I bet they get away with this arson attack too."

Medway Police said their investigation was continuing.