An Anglican minister whose historic church in the Inner West was gutted by fire at the weekend said he suspected the blaze had been deliberately lit.
The Holy Trinity Anglican Church building in Dulwich Hill was found well alight when fire crews responded to multiple 000 calls at 3:45am on Sunday.
The severely damaged structure, built in 1886 and used to house a youth center with a gym, boxing ring a playgroup, faces demolition.
The parish priest, Father DaveSmith, said he suspected the fire to be a deliberate act of vandalism.
“There’s CCTV footage which is suggesting that already, but also the next door neighbor heard something, saw some people scurrying around there starting a little fire or something,” he said.
The Anglican minister said he had not noticed anything amiss while working on his Sunday sermon in his office overlooking the building until about 3am.
“I’m just thankful that no one was hurt. It could have been far, far worse,” he said.
Inspector Chris Sedgwick, of Fire and Rescue NSW, said the cause of the fire was yet known.
“It was a fierce fire and well alight when the brigades got there,” he said.
About 30 firefighters battled the blaze, which crews stopped from spreading to a neighboring house.
A police spokeswoman said inquiries were continuing.
Father Dave, a former professional boxer, said the parish would consider options for the site, such as rebuilding a community center.
“As we say in the game, we’re on the ropes but we’re not on the canvas,” he said.
Article by Leesha McKenny.
Priest Suspects Church Fire was Lit Delibertaly – SMH
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