Peterborough Flag Fen 'devastated' after suspected arson attack destroys Iron Age roundhouse replica
Onlookers called the fire service after seeing flames above the tree line and two fire engines tackled the blaze, which reached 20 metres above the surrounding woodland.
A replica of an Iron Age roundhouse - which had officially opened for visitors in 2022 after being built by volunteers - was "almost completely destroyed", the owners said.
Francis Pryor MBE, who led the original excavations at Flag Fen in 1982, said: 'This is a devastating loss to Flag Fen.
"The roundhouse is an important learning resource for young and old, providing a valuable insight into Iron Age life.
"Our primary concern now is to re-build the roundhouse so that visitors can benefit from this important and unique asset and we experience as little disruption as possible for our educational programme'.
Flag Fen's owners said the fire was started by "vandals" in a deliberate arson attack or a prank which went wrong.
They thanked the "swift action" of firefighters for preventing the rest of the ancient archeological site from catching fire.
The fire service confirmed to ITV News Anglia that the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.
Flag Fen is a site of international significance for its Bronze Age archaeology and an emergency appeal for £50,000 of donations has been launched.
Jacqui Mooney, general manager, said: "We are desperate now for support from local businesses who may be able to help us with timber, materials, thatch, scaffold and labour – along with volunteers to help support the build and of course financial support to get the project underway.
"We are going to need around £50,000 to replicate the previous roundhouse.
"Many children and adults have happy memories of a trip to Flag Fen, if people can manage a donation, no matter the amount, it will be amazing and really help us to continue the magic here for future generations'.
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