LATEST: Huge blaze rips through Salford church
Police say it was started deliberately
Last updated 13th Feb 2017
Police say they're now treating a huge fire, which ripped through a church in Salford overnight, as arson.
The flames from the Church of Ascension in Lower Broughton lit up the sky and could be seen from miles around.
Police have released CCTV footage which shows a male, possibly, a teenage boy, leaving the scene around the time the fire broke out, believed to be around 11pm.
Detective Sergeant Karl Dalton, of GMP’s Salford Borough, said: “We have a team of detectives investigating the circumstances surrounding this large-scale fire which has completely devastated a building at the heart of the community.
“The reckless actions of the person, or people, responsible have caused a great deal of stress and anxiety to many and it is fortunate that no one was injured.
“I am appealing to the public to carefully watch the CCTV footage to see if you can help us identity the person who can be seen leaving the church grounds around the time the fire started.
“We also need to hear from any witnesses to the incident or anyone who believes they have any information.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5461 or 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Fire crews awere called 11.08pm on Sunday, February 12, 2017 to a well-established fire.
Six fire engines and two aerial platforms attended the incident off Broughton Lane with firefighters coming from across the Salford and Manchester area. The church, built in 1869, is completely devastated with the roof and interior entirely gutted.
At the early stages of the incident firefighters had to withdraw from the building due to the vulnerable structure and fought the fire from outside.
Crews remain at the scene and will be all morning (Monday, February 13). The cause of the fire is currently unknown and Fire Investigation will be on the scene today.