Police are investigating a fire that engulfed the Logan Metro Football Club last week destroying everything in its wake.
And with the upcoming season just weeks away, the club’s founders are working hard to rebuild.
“During the season people are at the club four to five times a week – it’s their home, their community and their belonging,” co-founder Sam Escobar said.
He said it was fortunate no one was hurt.
“The clubhouse stored all our jerseys, bibs and the rest of our equipment – nothing survived the fire.”
But the community wasted no time and began the recovery process immediately.
“And that’s taken a toll on us volunteers,” he said.
“I was meant to start back at work yesterday, but I’ve had to deal with council and police and firies
“And then there’s the operational stuff – the kids are meant to be returning in two weeks.”
The fire, which was allegedly deliberately lit just before 8pm, also consumed items the club would donate to struggling players, including kits, boots and shinpads.
Emergency services were called at around 8.15pm and arrived on the scene 10 minutes later.
“We got a call from one of the neighbours of the club telling us the clubhouse was on fire,” Mr Escobar said.
“The fire was above the roof – pretty confronting scenes.”
It took five fire crews to control the blaze, which was extinguished at 10.45pm.
“By all accounts the fire was deliberately lit,” Mr Escobar said.
“They broke in and lit a fire inside.
“It’s a crime scene now and the police are onto it.”
A Queensland police spokesperson confirmed the incident was being investigated by Logan police, who are calling for witnesses to contact them.
Mr Escobar said he didn’t know why anyone would want to destroy a clubhouse which means so much to so many.
“I don’t think the people who do this sort of stuff have any idea of the toll it takes on people and the impact it has on community,” he said.
“All the kids have been impacted now, and the club has to source balls and the rest of the equipment.”
He said the building itself was covered by Logan City Council, and its contents were insured privately.
A council spokesperson said council was inspecting and reviewing the damage, and working with Logan Metro to identify “interim accommodation requirements and needs”.
“Council will work with the club to help rebuild this valued community facility,” the spokesperson said.
Local councillor Teresa Lane visited the grounds the day after the fire and offered the club support.
“Our local clubs really step up to provide spaces for children, teens and adults to stay active, make friendships and have fun in team sports so this is a real blow to them as the 2024 season starts,” she said.
“Council, State and Federal money has gone into building the infrastructure the club needed to grow and we are each looking at what can be done to get the club back on track for pre-season games in a few weeks.”
Woodridge MP Cameron Dick said the fire was “gutting” and a “real blow to club leaders”, promising to “be there to support the club as it recovers and rebuilds.”
“I know I speak for many in our community when I say we are proud of the club and all that it has achieved,” Mr Dick said.
Mr Escobar said the best way for locals to support the club was to “sign up for the season ahead”.
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