FIRE investigators were at Cradley Village Hall yesterday (Thursday) trying to find the cause of a blaze that destroyed a third of the roof.

Neighbours Hilary and Nigel Iskander called the firefighters at about 2.45am on Sunday, after hearing roof tiles come crashing to the floor.

Crews from Malvern, Ledbury and Hereford attended the incident.

Jerry Thomas, one of three trustees of the hall, which is a registered charity administrated by the diocese of Hereford, praised their effort.

"There was a very quick response from the fire brigade in Malvern. They were there in 10 minutes which was remarkable," he said.

"Because of their prompt action they managed to control the fire and keep it to the roof."

The listed village hall is known to date from the 16th Century.

A six-month refurbishment, costing more than £75,000, was completed in March, when the hall was officially reopened.

Plans for the second phase of the project - a heritage centre, archive and meeting room in the hall - were due to start this autumn and be completed by Easter 2005. They will now have to be combined with repairs to the roof.

Mr Thomas said that Cradley residents would miss using the village hall while repairs were carried out, because it was a very good venue for events.

He said he had no idea what caused the fire.

"We'll have to wait and see what the official report is," said Mr Thomas, who added that the hall was fully insured.