Detectives investigating a fire at a church building in Oldham say they are treating the blaze as arson.
Firefighters worked through the night to bring a huge fire under control at a building adjacent to St Mark with Christ Church, on Glodwick Road, on Thursday night (September 26).
Fire crews found the roof of the disused rectory ‘well alight’ when they arrived at the scene on Glodwick Road at 9pm.
A large cloud of smoke could be seen billowing from the three-storey building as orange flames lapped up through the collapsing roof.
Nearby residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut and surrounding roads were sealed off.
Fire engines from Oldham, Chadderton, Hollins, Blackley, Heywood and Mossley attended and crews worked through the night to extinguish the flames.
Police were called to the scene at around 9.30pm and found damage to the community centre next door to the church.
The incident is being treated as arson by investigating officers.
Detective Sergeant Jason Byrne, of Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham District, said: “Thankfully, nobody was injured in the fire.
“I would like to reassure those affected that we will do all that we can to bring those responsible into custody.
“We would encourage anyone who may have been a witness or anyone who may know any details to come forward.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 1382, quoting incident number 3151 of 26/9/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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