ARSONISTS last night set fire to the former Territorial Army Centre in Gillingham - for the third time in two days.

Local residents say the building in Watling Street has become a magnet for trouble.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “There have been all sorts of problems with that building. They should never have closed it in the first place.’’

Last night at around midnight arsonists attacked the building again, causing a fire which spread into the loft space. It is believed the blaze was sparked when the yobs set fire to a pile of rubbish. About 10 per cent of the small 15 by 10 metre building was damaged by flames and 20 per cent was smoke damaged.

Two pumps, from Medway Fire Station and the Chatham retained station, were at the scene for more than an hour.

Medway Station firefighter Christopher Neale said: “It is quite unusual for a building to be attacked three times in such a short space of time.

“But then it is derelict and quite easily accessible. What bothers us is that when these fires are set it wastes our time when we may be needed to rescue someone from a house fire, for instance. It puts lives at risk.’’

The first of the three fires was on Wednesday at 8pm when an annex was set alight. At 12.30 the following morning a hut next to it, previously used by the Kent Army Cadet Force, was set on fire.

The KACF now has its own centre neighbouring the TA building and a spokesman said: “There are concerns about the TA centre. A couple of times earlier this year travellers broke into the TA grounds and set up camp there but they were moved on by the police."

He added: “Children have also broken in and broken the building’s windows."