Suspected arson attack at Peelers' Cafe, Peel Park, Bradford

Peelers' Cafe in Peel Park, Cliffe Road, was targeted on Monday morning.

The popular cafe - which opened in 2016 and was due to be celebrating its eighth anniversary this weekend - was broken into and "ransacked" before being set on fire, causing extensive damage.

The cafe has suffered extensive damage (Image: Newsquest) A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said the blaze was being treated as "suspected deliberate ignition".

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed an arson investigation was underway and urged anyone with information to come forward.

'Absolutely devastated'

Janet Attwood, who has been a volunteer with the Friends of Peel Park in Bradford for two decades, has helped with the running of Peelers' Cafe since it opened.

She said: "I'm absolutely devastated by what's happened - all the volunteers feel the same way.

"Those responsible have broken into the cafe and ransacked it - they've taken in excess of 150 cans of soft drinks, all the chocolates, all the crisps.

Janet Attwood surveys the damage (Image: Newsquest) "Anything that could be broken - like the microwave and the toaster and lots of other things - they've smashed.

"They've then set the place alight, causing so much fire and smoke damage. 

"It's just such a mindless act. 

"Why do something like this?"

Janet said all profits from sales at the cafe went towards improving Peel Park. 

She added: "We've been able to add more plants, hedgehog homes, nest boxes, more picnic tables, a totem trail and a trim trail. 

"Our most recent project has been to replace the old worn-out gym equipment. 

"There are so many other things we've achieved over those years - and Peelers' Cafe has been at the heart of all of this."

Janet has helped with the running of the cafe since it opened (Image: Newsquest) Janet added: "The cafe won't be open again until further notice. 

"All the volunteers want to get back to reopening the cafe eventually - and from the responses on social media, so do our lovely patrons.

"We'll need to put in lots of hard work in the coming weeks and months in order to attempt to reopen.

"We're a stoic bunch and we're now looking ahead - we've got to keep positive."

Following the fire, Janet launched a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise £3,000 to help with the future reopening of the cafe.

At the time of publication, the page had raised nearly £1,000.

Anyone wanting to donate can visit www.gofundme.com/f/friends-of-peel-park-reopen-peelers-cafe-after-arson

"We'd like to thank everyone for all their support," Janet added.

"You do see a lot of good from people when bad things happen."

Myrtle Basharan has also helped with the running of Peelers' Cafe since it opened, baking cakes for customers and fellow volunteers.

She said: "I'm very sad about this crime.

"It's terrible for something like this to happen at any time - but when it's just before we were meant to be celebrating the eighth anniversary of the cafe, it makes the situation even worse. 

"I can't get my head around why anyone would do such a thing.

"I hope whoever is responsible is caught and brought to justice soon."

Comments from local councillor, fire service and police

The cafe building is owned by Bradford Council.

Councillor Julie Humphreys, who represents Bolton and Undercliffe for Labour on Bradford Council, said she was "shocked" by the incident.

"Peelers' Cafe is a massive asset to the community," she added.

"This crime will have a huge impact on local people as the cafe is a valuable hub. 

Police are investigating (Image: Newsquest) "The dedicated volunteers, who have been running Peelers' Cafe for many years, are devastated.

"This mindless, awful crime will have far-reaching impacts.

"It's a Bradford Council-owned building and I'll do whatever I can to support the volunteers and help with the reopening of Peelers' Cafe."

Peelers' Cafe will be closed for some time (Image: Newsquest) A WYFRS spokesperson said: "We were called at 7.13am on Monday to reports of a building fire in Peel Park.

"We sent two crews from Bradford and one from Shipley who used breathing apparatus and hose reels to extinguish the fire.

"The fire is being treated as suspected deliberate ignition."

A police spokesperson added: "We are investigating an arson at that location. 

"Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious is asked to contact police via 101 or the live chat options at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting crime reference 13240654606."