The home of Everton women’s team has been targeted in an arson attack.
Fire crews were called to the venue at Walton Hall Park just before 6.25pm on Friday where they found a stand, scaffolding and netting had been set ablaze.
Footage circulating on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke being sent into the air by the fire, which was put out within the hour.
A statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service read: “Firefighters were called to Walton Hall Park on Friday 12th March.
“Crews were alerted at 6.24pm and on scene at 6.30pm. Two fire engines attended.
“On arrival crews found a football stand to be well alight. Firefighters used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.
“Crews left the scene at 6.57pm and handed the incident over to Merseyside Police.”
Police are investigating the blaze and believe it was started deliberately.
The full extent of damage to the stadium is unknown but Everton remain hopeful that their game with Chelsea on March 17 will still go ahead there.
Willie Kirk’s side moved into the purpose-built ground, which sits around a mile away from the first-team’s Goodison Park home, in February 2020.
Plans were also in place to expand the stadium’s capacity up to 2,200 seats.