St Comgall’s damaged in overnight fire
Bangor Parish Church in the Diocese of Down has been badly damaged in an overnight fire. The fire started at 02:00 BST on Thursday in the roof of the 130 year old building on Hamilton Road.
Part of St Comgall’s roof was destroyed and the inside of the church has sustained fire, water and smoke damage. Pews and parts of the floor have been destroyed and there is serious damage to an internal pillar. It is expected that the building will be out of use for a considerable time.
A police officer spotted the fire in the early hours and raised the alert.
Fire station commander James McAllister praised the fast response of the police and fire crews.
“Within minutes they had got the fire on the roof of the church out,” he said.
“The breathing apparatus teams were faced with intense heat. But because of the speed of the response from the crews, there has been a limitation to the damage.”
The rector, Revd Nigel Parker, said it could take several months for repairs to be carried out.
“We are just very thankful that no–one was injured and that it was brought under control so quickly,” he said.
“It is a very special place of worship and it is very saddening to see what has happened.
“Parishioners have come and it is just shocking to see the damage.”
Bishop Harold, who is travelling to the Albany Convention today, has sent Nigel and the parish a message of support.
Police are working to establish how the fire started.
Source: BBC NI News