AROUND 150 people were evacuated and a child was treated in hospital for smoke inhalation following a blaze at a Wirral leisure centre.
Arsonists are believed to have caused the blaze at Europa Pools in Conway Street, Birkenhead on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire is believed to have started in foliage at the back of the leisure centre before spread to its roof.
The centre is closed today while a joint investigation by police, Wirral Council and Merseyside Fire Service takes place.
The damage caused by yesterday's fire
Crews from Wallasey, Liverpool and Toxteth Community Fire Station attended the incident and were at the scene for three hours.
They used a combined platform ladder and angle grinder to remove parts of the roof.
Police and fire investigators attended and the building was made safe at 8.40pm.
Inspector Kate Wilkinson said: "There were around 150 people at Europa Pools when this fire started, including young children, and it is only due to the prompt response of staff and emergency services that nobody was injured.
"We are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen a group at the rear of the building acting suspiciously around 5.30pm.
"Any details you can provide, however small, may be key to our investigation."
Anyone with information is asked to call Wirral CID on (0151) 777 2265, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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