TEIGNMOUTH lifesavers face months of clean-up after fire ripped through the headquarters on Monday, causing more than £10,000 damage. Club members spotted the smoke pouring from the clubhouse at Eastcliff while they were providing safety cover for triathlon training off Teignmouth beach. They paddled back to shore and alerted fire crews, who were on scene within minutes. Damage to the onshore lifesaving rescue boat stored at the club is being assessed. At present, it is the only one for Teignmouth. Earlier this summer, Shaldon sailing club had one of its rescue boats slashed in a vandal attack and the Teignbridge Council boat was stolen. Vital lifesaving equipment, including seven junior training boards, two double skis, three single skis and life jackets were all damaged in the fire. Club president Iain Palmer said: 'The rescue boat was returned to us by the council just one day before this happened and we stored it at the club. 'There is a lot of damage. Half our equipment has been destroyed. It has taken us a long time to get the club to this standard and it is going to take a lot to replace it all. 'It is absolutely gutting and I know the members who have come down to see the damage feel the same,' he said. The club does not have contents insurance because of prohibitively high premiums. The rescue boat is insured under separate cover. 'We are looking to launch an appeal and ask that any lifesaving clubs that have surplus equipment to consider us, so we can continue operating. 'Thankfully we are at the end of the busy season, but it is going to take months of work to get up to scratch again. 'It is years of hard work up in smoke,' said Mr Palmer. Teignmouth firefighters used four sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reels to damp down the flames. l Just over 30 minutes later, there was a report of another fire at the former Inverteign Primary School site in Mill Lane. Neither fire is thought to be suspicious. One fire crew from Teignmouth and another from Dawlish and Torquay used two sets of breathing apparatus and one hose reel to put out a small fire in a derelict building. Anyone who may be able to help the lifesaving club can contact Mr Palmer on 01626 777621.