A FIRE started deliberately at a community centre in Greenock’s Bow Farm area is believed to have been set by children as young as 12.

Youngsters wearing dark clothing and hoodies were seen on the the roof of the Paton Street building shortly before the alarm was raised on Thursday evening.

A probe by police and fire investigators is understood to also be probing the torching of wheelie bins in nearby Davey Street.

Detective Sergeant Neil Martin, of Greenock CID, confirmed to the Telegraph that the community centre fire was ‘wilful’.

DS Martin said: “The seat of the fire was the roof space of the building.

“A number of youths, thought to be aged between 12 and 14, were hanging about on the roof.

“We are keen to speak with any young people who were in the area and any other witnesses who may have seen something.”

It is understood that youngsters were on top of the building when the community centre was locked up by a caretaker at around 5pm and that she ordered them down.

It’s believed that the group returned and went back on to the roof afterwards.

Reports of wheelie bins ablaze in Davey Street reached police and firefighters at 7.38pm and the fire at the community centre was reported at 7.59pm.

It is understood that the corrugated iron roof expanded with heat and the flames spread to wooden joists within the roof space.

DS Martin said: “The building has not been extensively damaged but there is some internal damage around the kitchen and creche areas.”

The community centre is owned by Inverclyde Council and managed by Inverclyde Leisure.

A council spokesman said: “Fire and police are still carrying out forensic investigations into the fire to determine how and where it started.

“We will of course be co-operating fully with that investigation.

“Once it is completed we will have a better idea of the extent of the damage and how long it may take to repair.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “Our fire investigation unit will work with Police Scotland investigation teams to determine the cause of the fire.”

Anyone who can help with the investigation should call police on the 101 number.