Fire engulfs Balclutha bowling club

The Balclutha Bowling Club went up in flames early this morning in what police say was a suspicious fire.

Firefighters arrived at around 1.20am to find the club rooms fully ablaze.

Additional crews were called in from nearby Milton and Kaitangata and were at the scene for about two hours before it was extinguished.

Police said surrounding trees and bush had also caught fire and had to be contained.

With no cause yet known police are treating the fire as suspicious and are asking anyone who may have seen people or vehicles in the area at the time of the fire to contact them.

A scene examination was completed this morning and police have begun speaking to nearby residents.

- NZPA