Fire at St Luke's Church in Barton Hill believed to be 'arson attack'

A large blaze at a Bristol church is being treated as an arson attack.

St Luke's Church in Barton Hill was found on fire by patrolling police officers at approximately 11.30pm on Monday (September 14).

Fire crews took around two and a half hours to quell the blaze and police and CSI were then in place with cordons as they investigated how the fire started.

Now, Avon and Somerset Constabulary have revealed a dog was used to examine the scene and indicated use of an accelerant.

In fire protection, an accelerant is any substance or mixture that accelerates or speeds the development and escalation of fire.

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A spokesman for the force said: "I can confirm it is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing.

"An accelerant dog was used and indicated an accelerant had been used. CSI have finished examining the scene now and the cordon has been lifted/ officers are no longer there.

"We continue to appeal for witnesses/ information and ask anyone who can help to call 101 quoting reference 5220209277."

It was an on duty police who discovered the fire late on Monday evening when they heard the churches alarms going off.

The police cordon at St Luke's Church (Michael Lloyd)

Queen Ann Road was closed between Maze Street and Barton Hill Road while fire crews extinguished the blaze.

Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service reported five crews from across the city attended the fire.

Crews from Temple, Hicksgate and Kingswood attended and the fire was said to be in the office and store room.

Six breathing apparatus used and one high pressure hose reel to extinguish fire, a turntable ladder was also used and four 45 mm hose reels.

St Luke's Church has confirmed nobody was injured in the fire. A post from the church on Facebook reads: "Please hold St Luke's and the community in your prayers if you could.

"As you may have seen on the news, we have had a fire. Grateful no body was hurt.

"Thankfully the fire was spotted and the prompt response of the emergency services stopped it from spreading to the main church area, we truly thank them."