The blaze on Sunday night at the Church of Ireland on Station Road, Greenisland
Police are appealing for information following a fire at a church and church hall in Greenisland last night, Sunday 1st September.
Inspector Knowles said:
“At approximately 9.10pm, we received a report of a fire at the property on the Station Road.
“Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire Service attended and the blaze was extinguished.
"The Church was celebrating its 70th anniversary this week, and last night was busy in particular.
“Thankfully no one was injured, however a significant amount of damage was caused to both buildings.
“We are treating this as arson and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or to anyone with CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1437 of 01/09/24.”
A spokesperson for the Church of Ireland in Greenisland commented after fire crews brought the blaze under control in the early hours of Monday morning, saying:
“What a shocking and terrible night for our parish and the whole Greenisland community. As I write, the smoke is still rising and the fire crews are still working hard, but the worst of the blaze seems to be under control.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support and love of the Greenisland community - people who helped us out with everything from traffic control, available toilets (much needed!) and of course a cuppa to steady the nerves.
“We are heartbroken but also so thankful - to the fire crews, to the local community, to our neighbours who sounded the alarm, and so thankful that no-one was hurt.
“We have just spent the weekend giving thanks for the first 70 years of Greenisland Parish life. We have every faith that with God’s guidance, the strength of our parish family and the support of our amazing friends and neighbours, our story will go on.”
TUV East Antrim spokesperson Councillor Matthew Warwick has described the attack on the church as “appalling”. He said:
“When news started to come through last night about the devastating fire at Greenisland Church of Ireland there was a palpable sense of shock.
“To now hear that it is being treated as arson is quite simply appalling.
“My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by the fire and I will be pressing the PSNI to do all they can to get to the bottom of what appears to have been a dastardly attack.”