13797/1A RABBIT set on fire under a bonfire at Devizes Cricket Club, may have had his revenge after taking refuge under the club's groundsman's hut, setting it ablaze.

The fire, which took place on Friday afternoon, destroyed an estimated £60,000 equipment, including several mowers.

Richard Read, club committee member with responsibility for grounds maintenance, said: "A volunteer was burning branches that had come down in the recent high winds and poured paraffin over it to start it burning.

"Suddenly, this rabbit shot out, on fire. It must have had paraffin poured over it and caught fire at the same time. We ran to see where it had got to but couldn't find it.

"We can only imagine that it disappeared down a hole beside the hut because, shortly afterwards, the hut started burning.

"The fire started in the far left-hand corner of the hut but it spread to the whole hut in a few minutes. There was no chance of getting anything out."

Devizes fire crews were called but could do nothing to save the equipment inside the hut. There was no sign of the rabbit.

Mr Read said: "Fortunately, the roller was out on the pitch, but we have lost everything else. The fine turf mower, the big diesel mower, wheelbarrows, brushes, all the bits and pieces we have collected over the years that are essential to setting up a wicket for a cricket match.

"We are appealing to any rich benefactors out there to come to our aid and help replace some of this equipment."

The blaze destroyed the electric connections to the club's new electronic scoreboard.

It was brought into use on Saturday by hastily assembled extension leads to the clubhouse.

Devizes fire station commander Pip Flowers said he had never heard of such an incident before.

He said: "It's very sad for the rabbit."