The boss of Keighley Cougars saved the club's ground from a major fire disaster after disturbing a group of young arsonists.

Managing director Peter Rowe said Cougar Park's main stand could have burnt to the ground if he had not been working late at the Hard Ings Road site.

Mr Rowe had been in his office at the rugby league ground around 7.30pm on Wednesday when he realised that something was wrong.

"I heard some kind of running noise up and down the back of the stand by the directors' box. I went up and banged on the door to let them know someone was there," said Mr Rowe.

The noise disturbed the youngsters and Mr Rowe saw four boys, aged 14 or 15, running from the scene.

"I thought they might have been trying to break into the press box so I went up to have a look around."

But as he moved further into the stand, Mr Rowe noticed a strong smell of smoke.

"They had set alight a plastic bottle and some paper. The fire was not very big so I stamped it out. God forbid if I hadn't been working late.

"The worse scenario is that the whole stand would have gone up," said Mr Rowe.

Although the structure, built in 1935, is steel fabricated, most of the large stand is made of wood.

"As it was the damage was minor. The wood had blistered and there was some ash around the scene. But things could have been a lot worse. If the stand had burned down it would have been a major catastrophe for the club."

Mr Rowe said: "I am only glad I was working late. I find I can get the most paperwork done in the evenings."

He added there was a long running problem with youths getting into the stadium and claimed some used it as a hidden spot to take their drugs.

"The problem is that the ground is open but quite secluded. There is right of way down the back of the main stand which we want moved 150 yards away by the allotments."

He said the club had commissioned a safety report which had highlighted this problem, prompting Mr Rowe to voice his concerns to the council.

He said while they seemed sympathetic, the latest incident showed the path needed to be moved as a "matter of urgency".

Keighley police say the incident was being treated as arson.

"We understand there was a small fire in the stand when someone lit a plastic pop bottle and scrap paper. Four youths, who were disturbed, ran off."

He said they were of Asian appearance and one was wearing a baseball cap and light coloured top.

The incident happened at 7.10pm and anyone who saw youths acting suspiciously in the area should telephone police on 01535 617059 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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