Fire investigators are today probing a suspected arson attack at a derelict social club.

The Scrattons Farms club in Morrison Road, Barking, was gutted in the blaze last night.

Barking Fire Station said firemen were called to put out a rubbish fire at the club earlier this week.

The Met police have been called in and Dagenham firefighter Chris Everett suspects foul play.

He said: “It was disused and boarded up. People must have got in and torched it.”

Around 20 firefighters from Barking and Dagenham and surrounding areas tackled the blaze between 10.20pm and 12.25am.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “The cause of the fire is under investigation by the brigade and the Metropolitan police.”