11 Jun 2012
Fire fighters were called to a blaze in a church which is over 100 years old last week.
The church in Bangor, County Down, was said to have caught fire at around 2am last Thursday and has suffered substantial damage as a result but nobody was hurt in the incident.
Police officers spotted the flames at the 130-year-old building and called the fire brigade and reverend Nigel Parker praised them for their efforts, in an interview with UTV.
Mr Parker said: “They broke into the building, discovered that the fire was raging inside and phoned the fire and rescue service, who responded very quickly.
“There is sadness to see the building damaged but we are delighted that no one has been injured in this.”
The fire, which damaged the roof of the church and the benches in the seating area, is not thought to be malicious.
Since 2005, churches must employ someone, known as a responsible person, who is to make sure that the building meets the Fire Safety Order Standards.
Copyright Press Association 2012