Hot cross bunny's clubhouse blaze

The rabbit's tail was alight as it headed for the shed

A burning rabbit scampered into a cricket club shed and caused £60,000 damage in the ensuing blaze.

The animal was hiding in a bonfire pile at Devizes Cricket Club in Wiltshire.

Soon after groundsmen lit the fire, the startled rabbit ran off with its tail alight and headed for a nearby shed.

Eleven firefighters were unable to save the shed, or equipment inside, but the rabbit may have escaped.

A turf mower, diesel mower, wheelbarrows, brushes and other implements used for the upkeep of the 150-year-old club were destroyed.

There was no sign of the rabbit's remains, suggesting it may have got away alive.

I imagine it perished and went to bunny heaven Philip Flowers, Wiltshire Fire Brigade

Devizes fire station commander Philip Flowers, said he had never fought a blaze caused by a burning animal in his 22-year career.

"We're 99% confident it was the rabbit that caused the fire," he said.

"It was either burnt to a cinder or it escaped through a small hole in the corner of the shed, but I imagine it perished and went to bunny heaven."

The cricket club is appealing for donations to keep going until an insurance claim can be filed.