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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Boy, 14, charged over church fire | Boy, 14, charged over church fire |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A 14-year-old boy has been charged with arson after a listed church in Greater Manchester suffered damage estimated at £500,000 in a fire. | A 14-year-old boy has been charged with arson after a listed church in Greater Manchester suffered damage estimated at £500,000 in a fire. |
| Police were called to the blaze at St Thomas' Church in Huddersfield Road, Newhey, Rochdale, on Friday night. | Police were called to the blaze at St Thomas' Church in Huddersfield Road, Newhey, Rochdale, on Friday night. |
| It was built in 1876 as a replica of Weston-super-Mare's Holy Trinity Church. Nobody was injured but the main hall and roof were extensively damaged. | |
| The teenager has been bailed until 9 January at Rochdale youth court. | |
| Church warden June Swift said: "It has been really upsetting for everyone in the village. | Church warden June Swift said: "It has been really upsetting for everyone in the village. |
| Church organ | Church organ |
| "We don't have a huge congregation but the church is a focal part for the whole of the village. It holds a great place in their affections." | "We don't have a huge congregation but the church is a focal part for the whole of the village. It holds a great place in their affections." |
| Twenty-five firefighters tackled the fire which started in an oil tank at the rear of the Grade II listed building. | Twenty-five firefighters tackled the fire which started in an oil tank at the rear of the Grade II listed building. |
| The church organ was destroyed and the building was left smoke-damaged throughout. | The church organ was destroyed and the building was left smoke-damaged throughout. |
| The altar and main stained-glass east window are believed to have escaped damage. | The altar and main stained-glass east window are believed to have escaped damage. |
| Church services will go ahead over Christmas but have had to be moved to the nearby St Thomas' Primary School. | Church services will go ahead over Christmas but have had to be moved to the nearby St Thomas' Primary School. |