A fire broke out in a derelict church in a suspected arson attack on Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters were scrambled to St Thomas Church on Chapel Street, Leigh, after reports smoke was seen coming from the building.
When they arrived at the scene they found piles of rubbish alight in the basement, a Greater Manchester Fire Service spokesman said.
Crews used a hose reel to put it out.
They were at the scene for around two hours.
The spokesman confirmed that the fire was 'suspected to be deliberate'.
He said: "We were called at 2.20pm to reports a caller could see smoke coming from the church.
"It was a fire involving a quantity of rubbish in the basement of a derelict church."
