MORE than 100 Girl Guides have been left homeless after a fire raged through their hut, burning it to the ground.

Fire broke out in the old timber building, in Quarry Wood Road, Bisham, in the early hours yesterday.

Sue Berry, spokesman from the Marlow District Guides, said that 130 girls use the hut each week.

She said: "We have lost everything. We have no equipment, no tents, no nothing. It's a huge shock but also great relief that it happened when no one was using the hut.

"We can replace the equipment but thankfully no one was injured. The youngsters don't know yet but I'm sure they will be very upset.

"At the moment police and the fire service are investigating and I understand arson is being considered."

A member of staff from the Compleat Angler hotel, on Marlow Bridge, spotted the fire and called the fire service at 2.19am.

Three engines from High Wycombe and one from Stokenchurch tackled the blaze and the fire was under control by 3.30am.

Water had to be pumped from the river to put out the flames and two breathing apparatus, three jets and one hydrant were used to get the fire under control.

Firefighters from Maidenhead were called in as a relief crew and dealt with the aftermath of the fire.

A spokesman from High Wycombe Fire Station said: "It was well alight when we arrived as it was an old timber building. There was slight damage to a nearby property and the cause of fire is unknown."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the cause of the fire was being investigated to establish whether or not it is suspicious.

The owners of the neighbouring building, who did not want to be named, said they had a lucky escape.

Sam Philp, of Quarry Wood Road was awakened by the blaze. He said: "It was an absolute inferno when I looked out, it was all gone."

Bill Williams, who lives across from the hut, said he was shocked and saddened about the fire.

He added: "If it is arson, what a wicked thing to do."

Mrs Berry added: "We will have to make plans to rebuild the hut and replace all our equipment so Guiding at Marlow can continue."

If any companies can help the Girl Guides financially or with materials contact 01628 472168.