08/06/2012
Firefighters Save Church After Police Tip-Off
A 130-year-old Bangor church was badly damaged in an overnight blaze and only saved when a passing police beat raised the alarm.
But despite firefighters; best efforts, Bangor Parish Church on Hamilton Road will be out of use for several months as a 30ft part of the roof was destroyed and the interior is smoke-damaged.
Fire station commander James McAllister said the firefighters had saved the church from "much more significant damage".
He said crews fought the fire above their heads in the roof area and at ground level where burning material had dropped and set pews alight.
The fire started at about 2am on Thursday and the police are now working to establish its cause.
The Rev Nigel Parker, who has been based in the landmark property for eight years now, told the News Letter nothing so far looked suspicious but he would "wait for the official report to come out".
He said he was "grateful to God for the response of the emergency services" and gave thanks that nobody was injured.
But he said: "It is a very special place of worship and it is very saddening to see what has happened."
Funerals and weddings will be moved to another Church of Ireland site at Ballyholme and Sunday services will take place at the church hall on Hamilton Road until further notice.
(NE)
But despite firefighters; best efforts, Bangor Parish Church on Hamilton Road will be out of use for several months as a 30ft part of the roof was destroyed and the interior is smoke-damaged.
Fire station commander James McAllister said the firefighters had saved the church from "much more significant damage".
He said crews fought the fire above their heads in the roof area and at ground level where burning material had dropped and set pews alight.
The fire started at about 2am on Thursday and the police are now working to establish its cause.
The Rev Nigel Parker, who has been based in the landmark property for eight years now, told the News Letter nothing so far looked suspicious but he would "wait for the official report to come out".
He said he was "grateful to God for the response of the emergency services" and gave thanks that nobody was injured.
But he said: "It is a very special place of worship and it is very saddening to see what has happened."
Funerals and weddings will be moved to another Church of Ireland site at Ballyholme and Sunday services will take place at the church hall on Hamilton Road until further notice.
(NE)
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