A fire on Easter Sunday has devastated a derelict church building.
Windows were blown out as flames ripped through the property on South Hetton Road, in Easington Lane.
On Facebook, locals claimed the property had once belonged to the Catholic Church and had only recently been sold.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched while on Monday morning, the damage it was visible for all to see.
Bricks were scorched with glass smashed on the floor. What appeared to be an organ also lay on the ground outside.
Paul Mason, who lives nearby, filmed crews tackling the flames on Sunday evening.
"They were there from about 10pm and were there for a good few hours - if it had been left any longer the whole thing would have gone up," said Paul.
He added: "I have a feeling it was kids, as I've seen groups of them hanging around recently even though we are supposed to be social distancing.
"It is very isolated around there, so they think nobody will bother them. I've called the police before about kids breaking into the back of the church and you have to ask, if it was kids, why are they out at the minute?"
And Paul added that locals are in shock at the fire. "It has made a right mess inside," he said.
"There are a lot of upset people today."
ChronicleLive contacted Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for comment.
As the fire broke, the service tweeted: "We currently have 5 appliances, an ALP and an Officer in attendance at a fire in a derelict church on #SouthHettonRoad in the #EasingtonLane area. Avoid the area if possible #StayHomeSaveLives."
