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Whiteabbey Methodist Church damaged in overnight arson | Whiteabbey Methodist Church damaged in overnight arson |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A church in County Antrim has been damaged in an overnight arson attack. | |
Arsonists broke in through the front door of Whiteabbey Methodist Church, on Shore Road and tried to light three fires inside the premises. | Arsonists broke in through the front door of Whiteabbey Methodist Church, on Shore Road and tried to light three fires inside the premises. |
A kitchen at the rear of the church was extensively damaged in the blaze, that was reported at about 23:00 BST on Saturday. | A kitchen at the rear of the church was extensively damaged in the blaze, that was reported at about 23:00 BST on Saturday. |
Fire crews said they were able to stop the fire spreading to the main church. | Fire crews said they were able to stop the fire spreading to the main church. |
Rev Pauline Lorimer said she was disheartened by the incident. | Rev Pauline Lorimer said she was disheartened by the incident. |
"I don't see how anybody can get any kind of kick out of destroying something that's good," she said. | "I don't see how anybody can get any kind of kick out of destroying something that's good," she said. |
"We had to have our service this morning in the Presbyterian church halls, which they very kindly opened for us. | "We had to have our service this morning in the Presbyterian church halls, which they very kindly opened for us. |
"The church is badly smoke damaged and the forensic people have only just left. | "The church is badly smoke damaged and the forensic people have only just left. |
"The halls are just newly finished and people are very proud of them. It's sad to see them being destroyed like this." | "The halls are just newly finished and people are very proud of them. It's sad to see them being destroyed like this." |
The police have appealed for witnesses. | The police have appealed for witnesses. |