A large fire broke out on Sunday, 1 September at the Parish Church of the Holy Name in Greenisland, Northern Ireland. Police are treating the fire as arson. To local parish community is shocked by the incident.
The incident is particularly shocking as the parish celebrated its 70th anniversary the night before the fire. The Church council said in a statement that the congregation was "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". Local parishioners also said they were shocked and devastated and had no words to even describe what had happened.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said nine appliances and 49 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze.
Alliance Party councillor Aron Skinner described the scene as "horrendous".
Update Septembre 9: Police have identified 3 boys, one aged 10 and 2 aged 11.
Sources: BBC (1); BBC (2) Belfast Telegraph; The Irish Sun
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