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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Fraser Clarke

Probe launched after fire at Alexandria church at the centre of £750k redevelopment plans

A blaze broke out at an Alexandria church which is set to be transformed into a £750,000 arts centre over the Easter weekend.

Fire crews raced to the B-listed former St Andrew’s Parish Church in Main Street just before 11pm on Easter Sunday, with eyewitnesses reporting seeing flames from inside the building.

Police say they are treating the blaze as wilful, and are appealing for more information.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 11.45pm on Sunday, 17 April, officers were called to reports of a fire on Main Street, Alexandria.

"There were no reports of any injuries.

"The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."

Fire crews saved the building from destruction. (Lennox Herald)

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 10.54pm on April 17 to reports of a disused church on fire at Main Street, Alexandria.

“Two appliances attended the scene and extinguished the blaze.”

Last year, charity Viresco Studios was awarded a grant of £750,000 by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and say they will work in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council to transform the venue into a state-of-the-art creative venue.

When complete, developers say that the church will feature studios, workshops, training spaces, event and exhibition areas and a cafe.

After closing to its congregation, St Andrew’s was sold to a dance school in 2005 – and also operated a children’s soft play area before closing and falling into disrepair.

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