FIREFIGHTERS opened their doors to members of a York Scout group, whose headquarters was destroyed in an arson attack.

Members of St Chad's Greys Scout Group, whose building in Lorne Street, South Bank, was gutted by a blaze in July, went along to the fire station in Clifford Street to hold an investiture ceremony for six Scouts and three Guides who were taking a step up to become Venture Scouts.

Venture Scout leader Nigel Turton, who officiated, said: "A few years ago we started doing our investitures in unusual places just to make it a bit more memorable for those involved."

The latest venue was seen as especially fitting because it was crews from York fire station which tackled the blaze at their scout hut, in which equipment worth thousands of pounds was also destroyed.

"We would like to say a big thank-you to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for letting us use the station. Everybody that we met made us feel really welcome."

The group has so far raised about £21,500 by holding a number of events towards the cost of building a new base on the site. The group is keen to quash rumours which have been circulating in the South Bank area that the site is to be redeveloped as flats.

Mr Turton said: "There is absolutely no truth in it whatsoever."

Updated: 11:17 Saturday, October 27, 2001