Investigation launched after church fire in St Helens
Police are treating it as a suspected arson attack
An investigation has been launched after a fire at a church building in St Helens, which police believe was started deliberately.
They are treating the Blaze at St Theresa's Church on Gartons Lane as suspected arson.
Numerous emergency crews were called at around 4pm on Monday. A broken window was also found.
A joint investigation with Merseyside Fire & Rescue and Merseyside Police is underway.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Jimmy Rotheram said: “It’s truly shocking that a church, which is such a valued resource and focal point for the community, has been targeted in this way.
“It's completely mindless and will now take a lot of time and money to carry out repair work to the garages and also the smashed church window.
“To deliberately start a fire is incredibly dangerous and this incident could have been a lot worse."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 quoting incident reference 24000394209.