the Pembroke Community Club early yesterday was an act of arson.

A Fire Service spokesman said the 3.30 a.m. blaze was deliberately set "by person or persons unknown'' in the Admiralty House Park building, causing approximately $150,000 damage.

The investigation has now been handed over to the Police.

Yesterday, chairman of the club's Board of Trustees Mr. Stanley Morton MP branded the arsonist a "coward'' and vowed the club would continue to operate.

And he praised firefighters and Police for their handling of the fire, saying they effectively handled a "disappointed and emotional'' crowd which gathered at the scene.

Twenty firefighters battled the 3.30 a.m. blaze for more than two hours as it burned through the roof and gutted two storerooms of the North Shore club.

More than 250 chairs and tables, sports equipment and a filing cabinet were lost in the inferno.

The fire also destroyed an office and music equipment which was on the club's stage.

Firefighters arrived on the scene just after 3.

30 a.

m. yesterday morning after receiving a call from a nearby resident.

Police Det. Insp. Legay Farley, who is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, said the Fire Services had done a "marvellous job'' in bringing the blaze under control.

"If they did not work as well as they did the club would have been burnt to the ground,'' he said as he looked over the charred remains of the community hall.

Fire investigator Mr. Melvin Outerbridge said: "The main hall had slight smoke and heat damage. There was also heat and fire damage to the board room.'' He added the fire could have started in the office.

A reggae session scheduled for the club last night was moved to Number one Shed in Hamilton.

Mr. Morton arrived on the scene as the fire raged. After watching it brought under control, he said he believed it had been deliberately set.

"I strongly believe that it was arson,'' he said earlier yesterday. "I would be surprised if the fire had nothing to do with the (reggae) session that was supposed to be held tonight.'' After arson had been determined as the cause of the blaze, Mr. Morton said: "I would like the person or persons who committed this act to step forward so we can have a talk. It was a cowardly act.'' But he was full of praise for the firefighters and Policemen who rushed to the scene, saying: "They handled the fire in an effective and professional manner and I was very impressed with the graceful and professional way they handled a disappointing and emotional situation for the members.'' Mr. Morton said the board of trustees will meet with the Parks Department today and will also be seeking the use of another hall in the Admiralty House area.

He vowed: "We are not just going to leave the building like that. The fire is history, we now have to move on.'' He added that renting the club out for different activities contributed the lion's share of the Pembroke Community Club's revenues.

"We are not going to let the fire hinder our programme,'' Mr. Morton said, adding they might be able to work out agreements to use neighbouring buildings for club activities including those already booked.

Mr. Morton added that if it is necessary, the board will approach the Government for help. "We will not be lying down,'' he said.

The centre was built in 1985 by club members with financial help from Government.

Mr. Stanley Morton.

FIRE FIGHT -- Firefighters, top, spent two hours battling yesterday's early morning blaze at the Pembroke Community Club. Later yesterday morning, Fire Service officials below sifted through the remains of the club before determining the fire was deliberately set. The top picture was taken by Mr.

Walter Brown .