Hundreds of children led to safety following arson attack on Wakefield sports arena

    A number of children had to be led to safety after arsonists set fire to part of a West Yorkshire sports stadium on Wednesday night.

    Police say the track seating area at Thornes Park Stadium in Wakefield was deliberately set alight at about 7:25pm on Wednesday evening, with the blaze spreading to a nearby building where a children's sports club event was being held.

    Fire crews were called immediately after the blaze started, with the fire spreading to an overhanging section of a roof of a nearby building full of children attending the sports club.

    Three crews attended the scene from Wakefield, Ossett and Dewsbury and used two hose reels, two breathing apparatus and a high-powered fan to clear smoke from the building.

    West Yorkshire Police described the incident as a "deplorable case of anti-social behaviour" and appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.

    Nobody is believed to have been hurt in the incident.

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